In This Article
- What School District Rankings Put Simi Valley on Parents' Radar?
- Which Elementary Schools Lead Academic Excellence in Simi Valley?
- Which Schools in Simi Valley Offer the Best Academic Programs?
- What Makes Santa Susana High School Rank #190 in California?
- How Do Private Schools Compare to Public Options in Simi Valley?
- What is the Connection Between School Quality and Home Values in 2026?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Simi Valley Schools
Schools in Simi Valley are a big part of why families choose the city. Santa Susana High School ranks #190 statewide, and Simi Valley Unified serves 15,677 students across 27 schools. With the median home price at $840,000 in March 2026, buyers here are weighing schools and housing value at the same time. This guide covers the public and private options, what the performance data actually shows, and how school quality plays into the local market.
Simi Valley Unified School District serves 15,677 students across 27 schools and ranks #105 among California school districts, with a 22 to 1 student teacher ratio. Santa Susana High School ranks #190 statewide. The district includes public and private options, with median home prices reaching $840,000 in March 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Simi Valley Unified School District ranks #105 among California school districts, serving 15,677 students across 27 schools with a 22 to 1 student teacher ratio.
- Santa Susana High School ranks #190 statewide in California, with a 99% graduation rate compared to the 87% state average.
- Santa Susana High School students achieve an average SAT score of 1320 and ACT score of 29, with 59% AP course participation among 1,002 students.
- Median home prices in Simi Valley reached $840,000 in March 2026, with school reputation one of several factors supporting demand.
- Oak Park Unified ranks #18 in California with an A+ grade, outperforming both Moorpark Unified at #91 and Simi Valley Unified at #105.
What School District Rankings Put Simi Valley on Parents' Radar?
Simi Valley Unified School District ranks #105 among California school districts on Niche, a solid showing. According to state test scores, 35% of students are at least proficient in math and 50% in reading, with a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1.
The district serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Families shopping the broader area also have neighboring districts to compare. Nearby Oak Park Unified ranks even higher at #18 in California with an "A+" grade from Niche, while Moorpark Unified ranks 91st with an "A" grade.
California school district rankings (2026): Oak Park USD #18, Moorpark USD #91, Simi Valley USD #105.
Source: Niche.com rankings, April 2026
Which Elementary Schools Lead Academic Excellence in Simi Valley?
Simi Valley's elementary schools are spread across the city, and several earn strong ratings. Madera Elementary earns an "A-" from Niche with 467 students and a 26:1 student-teacher ratio, while Vista Elementary (613 students) and Hollow Hills Elementary (645 students) both serve grades K-6.
The district's elementary schools show consistent quality across neighborhoods. Wood Ranch Elementary serves 488 students and Big Springs Elementary serves 455. White Oak Elementary (368 students) and Atherwood Elementary (486 students) round out the main neighborhood options, so most parts of the city have a solid school close by.
Class sizes remain manageable across the district, with most elementary schools maintaining ratios between 20:1 and 27:1 students per teacher. The range is wide enough that it is worth checking the specific school rather than assuming the district average applies.
Which Schools in Simi Valley Offer the Best Academic Programs?
Program offerings differ school to school, and for many families that matters more than a single ranking number. At the elementary level, Wood Ranch Elementary and Madera Elementary lead with advanced STEM curricula and dual immersion programs, while Vista Elementary focuses on technology integration and project-based learning approaches.
Middle school programs at Hillside Middle School and Valley View Middle School prepare students for high school success through advanced placement preparatory courses and specialized tracks in mathematics, science, and language arts. GreatSchools.org data shows both scoring above state benchmarks, with mathematics the stronger area.
Simi Valley high schools offer comprehensive college and career readiness programs. Santa Susana High School provides 24 Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate preparation, and specialized academies in engineering, performing arts, and biotechnology. Royal High School features strong programs in agriculture, automotive technology, and digital media production. The district's career technical education programs partner with local employers and Moorpark College to provide dual enrollment opportunities, with 68% of graduating seniors completing at least one college-level course before graduation.
| School Level | Top Performers | Math Proficiency | Reading Proficiency | Student-Teacher Ratio | Special Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Madera Elementary | 42% | 65% | 26:1 | STEM, Dual Immersion |
| Elementary | Wood Ranch Elementary | 38% | 62% | 24:1 | Technology Integration |
| Middle School | Hillside Middle | 41% | 58% | 23:1 | AP Prep, AVID |
| High School | Santa Susana High | 49% | 80% | 22:1 | 24 AP Courses, IB Prep |
| High School | Royal High | 33% | 60% | 25:1 | CTE, Agriculture |
What Makes Santa Susana High School Rank #190 in California?
Santa Susana High School, ranked 190th in California, is the strongest performer in the district. Its AP participation rate is 59%, well above what most public high schools post. With 1,002 students in grades 9-12 and a 22:1 student-teacher ratio, 49% of students are at least proficient in math and 80% in reading.
The graduation rate is 99%, against a California state average of 87%. Average test scores include an SAT of 1320 and an ACT of 29, which puts graduates in a good position for college admissions.
Santa Susana outperforms the district's other high schools, Royal High and Simi Valley High, on every measure in the table below, with the widest gap in math proficiency.
| High School | California Rank | Math Proficiency | Reading Proficiency | AP Participation | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Susana High | #190 | 49% | 80% | 59% | 99% |
| Royal High | #480 | 33% | 60% | 49% | 94% |
| Simi Valley High | #748 | 36% | - | 31% | - |
Beyond academics, Santa Susana has a well-regarded performing arts program and an unusually deep club roster for a school of about 1,000 students, including science and technology, visual arts, mock trial, and robotics.
How Do Private Schools Compare to Public Options in Simi Valley?
For the 2026 school year, 15 private schools serve 2,152 students in Simi Valley. That is about 5% of all K-12 students, compared with a California average of 10%, so most local families use the public system. The top-ranked private schools include Simi Valley Adventist School, Grace Elementary School, and Phoenix Ranch West.
Grace Elementary School is a private, Christian, co-educational school for kindergarten through sixth grade. It is part of Grace School of Simi Valley, founded in 1978 as a ministry of Grace Church, which runs three campuses serving students from age 2 through 12th grade. Kindergarten tuition is $8,076 and includes before and after care, with two levels of kindergarten offered.
Phoenix Ranch West ranks in the top 20% of California private schools and serves 331 students in prekindergarten through 6th grade. It is part of The Pinecrest Schools, a family-run group that has operated in Southern California for over sixty years across nine campuses, with a traditional, fundamentals-first approach.
Average elementary tuition in Simi Valley is $8,362, though individual schools vary. The average acceptance rate is 94%, and 53% of private schools are religiously affiliated, most commonly Catholic and Christian.
Families looking outside the city sometimes consider MUSE Global School, an early childhood through 12th grade school in the Santa Monica Mountains, which means a real commute from Simi Valley. Closer to home, Grace Elementary School and St. Rose of Lima School provide faith-based options.
What is the Connection Between School Quality and Home Values in 2026?
School quality and property values tend to move together in Simi Valley, as they do across most of Ventura County. The median sale price was $840,000 in March 2026, up 1.1% since January. The average home value near Santa Susana High School is $880,762, above the citywide median, though neighborhood, lot size and home age all contribute to that gap as well.
Compared with Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and the San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley generally offers more square footage per dollar, with an average price per square foot of $507. That is a big part of its appeal for families priced out of those markets.
The schools also help keep demand steady. In recent months, 78% of Simi Valley homebuyers searched to stay within the metropolitan area, while 22% looked to move out. Among buyers searching from outside the region, San Francisco led, followed by Boston and Seattle.
Schools are not the whole story for families. The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District runs 50 parks and has preserved over 5,600 acres of open space for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The Arroyo Simi Bike Path runs east-west through much of the city as a multi-use trail, and spots like Jerry's Coffee Shop and Urbane Cafe are regular weekend stops.
Frequently Asked Questions About Simi Valley Schools
Which is the best elementary school in Simi Valley?
Several elementary schools earn top ratings, including Madera Elementary (A- grade), Vista Elementary (613 students), and Wood Ranch Elementary. School choice often depends on your specific neighborhood and family priorities, as most elementary schools in the district maintain strong academic standards and manageable class sizes between 20:1 and 27:1.
How does Santa Susana High School compare to other Ventura County high schools?
Santa Susana ranks #190 in California, with a 99% graduation rate, 59% AP participation, 80% reading proficiency, and an average SAT score of 1320. It outperforms the other Simi Valley high schools on every published measure and sits among the stronger public high schools in Ventura County, with performing arts and STEM as notable strengths.
Are there good private school alternatives in Simi Valley?
Yes. Fifteen private schools serve 2,152 students, with average elementary tuition of $8,362. Top-rated options include Grace Elementary School (K-6, $8,076 tuition including before and after care), Phoenix Ranch West (top 20% in California), and MUSE Global School (ECE-12, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, so expect a commute). Just over half (53%) of private schools are religiously affiliated.
Do better schools really impact home values in Simi Valley?
They are one factor, and a meaningful one. Homes near Santa Susana High School average $880,762, above the city median of $840,000, though that gap also reflects neighborhood, lot size and home age. The district's #105 ranking and Santa Susana's #190 ranking help keep steady demand from families moving in from Los Angeles County, which supports values even when the broader market softens.
What are the enrollment requirements for schools in Simi Valley elementary and high school programs?
Most schools in Simi Valley follow standard enrollment procedures based on residential boundaries within the Simi Valley Unified School District. Elementary schools typically require proof of residence, immunization records, and birth certificates for enrollment. High schools accept students from feeder middle schools automatically, while transfers require district approval. Open enrollment periods generally occur in spring for the following school year, and some specialized programs require additional applications or auditions. Confirm current dates and requirements directly with Simi Valley Unified, since they change year to year.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Simi Valley?
Davis Bartels and the DB Real Estate Group have closed more than 500 transactions across the Conejo Valley, Ventura County and west Los Angeles since 2009. If schools are part of your decision, happy to talk through how attendance boundaries and home values line up in the neighborhoods you are considering.
Contact Davis: davisbartels.com
