For the 2025 school year, there are 26 magnet public middle schools serving 19,705 students in California.
Learn more about how magnet schools work. The top ranked magnet public middle schools in California are Science Academy Stem Magnet, Steindorf Steam K-8 Magnet and Santa Rosa Technology Magnet. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California magnet public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Magnet Public Middle Schools in California (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Science Academy Stem Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Gr: 6-12 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #22.
Steindorf Steam K-8 Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3001 Ross Ave.
San Jose, CA 95124
(408) 377-3022
San Jose, CA 95124
(408) 377-3022
Gr: K-8 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #33.
Santa Rosa Technology Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
13282 Santa Rosa Rd.
Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 383-5355
Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 383-5355
Gr: K-8 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
Legacy Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
15500 Legacy Rd.
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 430-2088
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 430-2088
Gr: 6-12 | 905 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #55.
Mcpherson Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
333 South Prospect St.
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-6384
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-6384
Gr: K-8 | 853 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #66.
Vista Magnet Middle School Of Technology Science And Math
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
151 Civic Center Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 726-5766
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 726-5766
Gr: 6-8 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #77.
Thomas Starr King Middle School Film And Media Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4201 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 644-6700
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 644-6700
Gr: 6-8 | 1,594 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #88.
San Jacinto Leadership Academy - Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
181 North Ramona Blvd
San Jacinto, CA 92583
(951) 929-1954
San Jacinto, CA 92583
(951) 929-1954
Gr: 6-11 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #99.
Washington Irving Mid Sch Math Music And Engr Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3010 Estara Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 259-3700
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 259-3700
Gr: 6-8 | 815 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1010.
Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6701 Balboa Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 342-6133
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 342-6133
Gr: K-12 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1111.
Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
148 West Duarte Rd.
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 471-2700
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 471-2700
Gr: 6-8 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1212.
De Anza Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1530 South Waterman Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-9811
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-9811
Gr: K-8 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Westside Global Awareness Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
104 Anchorage St.
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 821-2039
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 821-2039
Gr: K-8 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1414.
George Visual And Performing Arts Magnet And Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
10650 Bartlett Ave.
Adelanto, CA 92301
(760) 246-8231
Adelanto, CA 92301
(760) 246-8231
Gr: K-8 | 658 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1515.
Wilmington Mid Sci Tech Engr Arts Math (Steam) Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1700 Gulf Ave.
Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 847-1500
Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 847-1500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,243 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1616.
Orville Wright Engineering And Design Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6550 West 80th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 258-6600
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 258-6600
Gr: 6-8 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1717.
Sotomayor Arts And Sciences Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2050 San Fernando Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 276-5535
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 276-5535
Gr: 6-12 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Shadow Hills Engineering And Design Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
37315 60th St. East
Palmdale, CA 93552
(661) 533-7400
Palmdale, CA 93552
(661) 533-7400
Gr: 6-8 | 874 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Sun Valley Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7330 Bakman Ave.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 255-5100
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 255-5100
Gr: 6-12 | 1,279 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2020.
David G. Millen Law And Government Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
39221 22nd St. West
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 947-3075
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 947-3075
Gr: 6-8 | 1,006 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2121.
Octavia E. Butler Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1505 North Marengo Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 396-5830
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 396-5830
Gr: 6-8 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2222.
Cactus Medical Health And Technology Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3243 East Ave. R-8
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 273-0847
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 273-0847
Gr: 6-8 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2323.
Desert Willow Fine Arts Sci And Tech Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
36555 Sunny Ln.
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 285-5866
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 285-5866
Gr: 6-8 | 1,020 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2424.
Sycamore Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1402 Sycamore Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 730-7360
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 730-7360
Gr: K-8 | 1,161 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2525.
Western Avenue Technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1724 West 53rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90062
(323) 295-3261
Los Angeles, CA 90062
(323) 295-3261
Gr: K-8 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
Space Aeronautics Gateway To Exploration Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
38060 20th St. East
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 537-6101
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 537-6101
Gr: 6-8 | 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked magnet public middle schools in California?
The top ranked magnet public middle schools in California include Science Academy Stem Magnet, Steindorf Steam K-8 Magnet and Santa Rosa Technology Magnet.
How many magnet public middle schools are located in California?
26 magnet public middle schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California magnet public middle schools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex 51±¬ÁÏs are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
