Around the Districts

Back to school is right around the corner. Whether it’s elementary, middle or high school, the Pasadena area is home to some of the best schools in LA County. There are plenty of schools to choose from, but here’s a few:

Elementary/middle schools

Altadena Arts Magnet Elementary

743 E. Calaveras Street, Altadena

pusd.us/altadena

Altadena Arts Magnet believes that visual and performing arts are an integral part of its students having a well-rounded education, boosting engagement and achievement. Altadena Elementary School uses visual and performing arts as well as a French dual-language immersion to achieve high academic standards for its college and career-bound students. The school’s motto is “Many Voices. One Song. Rising to Greatness!”

Barnhart School

240 W. Colorado Boulevard, Arcadia

barnhartschool.org

Barnhart School is a private K-8 institution located in Arcadia. With small class sizes, Barnhart focuses on academics while also focusing on the arts. It encourages students to make a difference in the world regardless of their age. Though it highly values education and academic success, its mission is rooted in helping students discover who they are as young individuals.

Chandler School

1005 Armada Drive, Pasadena

chandlerschool.org

Located in Pasadena, Chandler is an independent K-8 school that focuses on a strong education through smaller classes taught by dedicated teachers. Students are tasked with rigorous assignments with access to the latest technology available in each classroom. Chandler is selective in admissions, but it prides itself in nurturing its students, equipping them with the tools necessary in life. For over 60 years, Chandler has been dedicated to its core principles and continues to lead students on the path to success.

Clairbourn School

8400 Huntington Drive, San Gabriel

clairbourn.org

In its 97 years in education, the staff — past and present — has learned the importance of giving students a rigorous academic program with a wide array of co-curricular classes and a strong foundation of values within a supportive and responsive community. Its goal is to develop in students the skills, habits and ethical compass that will prepare them for their future.

Don Benito Fundamental School

3700 Denair Street, Pasadena

pusd.us/donbenito

Don Benito Fundamental School serves grades TK-5. The school staff believes the academic potential of each student is unlimited. It is committed to creating a school that knows no limits to the academic success of each student.

Eliot Arts Magnet Academy

2184 N Lake Avenue, Altadena

pusd.us/eliot

Eliot Arts Magnet Academy serves grades 6 to 8. Students have access to various music, dance, theater arts and visual arts programs. These programs are taught by professional artists and musicians who stress problem solving and creativity. Eliot Arts students collaborate with top-rated, renowned LA area arts organizations and consultants to enhance real-world application of learning.

Field Elementary School

3600 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena

pusd.us/field

Field Elementary School’s mission is to provide its students with a safe and supportive environment in which all of their academic, social and emotional needs can be met. The school’s vision is to produce effective and responsible citizens who will be complex thinkers, quality producers, collaborative workers, self-directed learners and community contributors.

Hamilton Elementary School

2089 Rose Villa Street, Pasadena

pusd.us/hamilton

Hamilton Elementary School is a math, science and technology academy. The school’s mission is “to nurture, inspire, and challenge our students to become confident, creative, and successful leaders of tomorrow.” The school teaches the children to embrace the wonders of the world in which they live while striving to create confident and capable individuals with integrity and a sense of social responsibility. The school’s goal is to cultivate each child’s love of learning through artistic, imaginative and academic avenues.

Jackson Magnet STEM Dual Language Academy

593 W. Woodbury Road, Altadena

pusd.us/jackson

Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet Academy offers an innovative academic program that nurtures the communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creative skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century and places a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Another available option at the school is to learn to read, write and speak in both English and Spanish through participation in the Dual Language Immersion Program. All students benefit from the STEM academic focus and hands-on science laboratory staffed by a full-time science teacher.

James Madison Elementary School

515 Ashtabula Street, Pasadena

pusd.us/madison

Madison Elementary School’s mission is to create a school community that works together to provide an exceptional educational experience that promotes discovery, innovation and leadership skills to be college and career ready.

Longfellow Elementary School

1065 E. Washington Boulevard, Pasadena

pusd.us/longfellow

Longfellow Elementary School is a Spanish language and cross-cultural awareness school. The school’s mission is to cultivate an inclusive, caring learning community where students become engaged learners, fostered by their perseverance, courageous expression, and commitment to kindness. Through a rigorous curriculum that facilitates critical thinking and advocacy, students become catalysts for positive change. It is committed to nurturing individuals who actively contribute to their community by displaying empathy, confidence, and awareness of others’ perspectives.

Mayfield Junior School

405 S. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena

mayfieldjs.org

Mayfield Junior School is an independent, K-8 Catholic school that implements the Holy Child Philosophy within its rigorous curriculum. At MJS, students are encouraged to challenge themselves and explore their curiosity. They are committed to each child’s education and faith, as well as maintaining a diverse community with families of all kinds of backgrounds. MJS follows founder Cornelia Connelly’s belief in the development of a child spiritually, intellectually, artistically and athletically to create a well-rounded child.

McKinley School

325 S. Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena

pusd.us/mckinley

McKinley School serves grades K-8. The school’s goal is to equip its students with the knowledge and skills to be ready for high school. The school’s mission is to provide a collaborative learning environment that enables all students to reach their academic and artistic potential. McKinley School provides a rigorous curriculum and instruction of the highest quality utilizing the resources of the school, home and community. It is the school’s firm belief that the integration of academic and artistic training will strengthen students’ character, judgment and sensitivity.

Norma Coombs Elementary School

2600 Paloma Street, Pasadena

pusd.us/normacoombs

Norma Coombs Elementary School serves grades TK-5 and is a multicultural public school with approximately 500 students enrolled. The school’s philosophy is unique among Pasadena schools: It asks every student to engage actively in the process of learning through exploring, questioning and creative problem solving. The school believes it’s important for children to develop their own unique voice, demonstrate respect for others, and pursue a commitment to society.

Octavia E. Butler Magnet

1505 N. Marengo Avenue, Pasadena

pusd.us/oebmagnet

Octavia E. Butler Magnet is a dual-language STEAM middle school that serves grades 6 to 8. Octavia E. Butler Magnet is a diverse community of learners who lead with principles and compassion. The school is equipped with the communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity skills that are necessary to make a positive impact in the world. The school provides innovative signature programs in Northwest Pasadena that nurtures a diverse cadre of students. OEB students will promote to high school with a passion for extensive experiences in discovering, inventing and designing. OEB is a school where all students are engaged in learning rigorous standards-based concepts and skills that are relevant to their lives and to their future success.

St. Andrew Catholic School

42 Chestnut Street, Pasadena

saspasadena.com

St. Andrew is a diverse kindergarten to eighth community located in Old Pasadena. St. Andrew provides a safe, welcoming space for students to learn and pray. Together, students and faculty come together to educate one another by proclaiming the message of Jesus through critical thinking and a religious education. St. Andrew cherishes what it means to be a well-rounded Catholic student.

San Rafael Elementary School

1090 Nithsdale Road, Pasadena

pusd.us/sanrafael

San Rafael Elementary School serves grades pre-K to fifth and is a dual-immersion Spanish and English language program that develops bi-cognitive students who meet high academic standards and are models for positive cross-cultural attitudes and behavior. Working together with a highly engaged community of students, staff and family, San Rafael creates lifelong learners who possess an expanded worldview and are prepared to be successful in a global society. The school’s mission is to provide a child-centered academic program that meets the diverse needs of the community in an additive bilingual setting.

Sierra Madre Elementary School

141 W. Highland Avenue, Sierra Madre

pusd.us/sme

Sierra Madre Elementary School serves grades pre-K to fifth, and its mission is to nurture learners as they grow into brilliant, creative, strong and true-hearted leaders within a safe and supportive community. The school’s vision is to turn its students into engaged learners, self-motivators, complex thinkers, effective communicators, respectful individuals and responsible citizens.

Sierra Madre Middle School

160 N. Cañon Avenue, Sierra Madre

pusd.us/smms.pusd.us

Sierra Madre Middle School is committed to providing a program that promotes academic, physical, emotional and social growth for all the students within a safe and secure environment. The school’s goal is that these endeavors will foster high student academic achievement and creative thinking among students and staff, to work together in harmony with parents and the community for the good of all students. All the teachers at Sierra Madre Middle School follow curriculum based on Common Core State Standards, including visual and performing arts standards.

Walden School

74 S. San Gabriel Boulevard, Pasadena

waldenschool.net

Walden School is an independent progressive school for pre-K to sixth-grade students in Pasadena. In Walden classrooms, learning is grounded in inquiry, experience and collaboration.

Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School

1520 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena

pusd.us/washington

Washington Elementary STEM Magnet provides a rigorous science, technology, engineering and mathematics-based curriculum that addresses the needs of each student. The school’s students become responsible, scientifically and technologically literate global citizens through the development of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creative skills. Washington Elementary STEM Magnet is a culturally diverse school, nationally recognized as an exemplary leader in STEM education for elementary students.

Webster Elementary School

2101 E. Washington Boulevard, Pasadena

pusd.us/webster

Webster Elementary School promises to create a nurturing and inclusive learning community where every child thrives, embraces curiosity and achieves their full potential. The school is dedicated to transforming education to create a community where every child is empowered to achieve. The school believes by empowering its students to be culturally responsive, it prepares them to succeed in their educational journey and beyond.

Willard Elementary School

301 S. Madre Street, Pasadena

pusd.us/willard

Willard Elementary School’s staff is committed to providing its students with rigorous, engaging and relevant learning in a nurturing environment. The school’s staff nurtures its students’ natural curiosity through IB’s inquiry-based instruction and also helps students understand how subjects, and the world around them, connect through Transdisciplinary Units of Study. Students learn about themselves, their families, their communities, and the world around them. The students are encouraged to become responsible citizens who “Think Globally, Act Locally.”

High School

Blair High School

1201 S. Marengo Avenue, Pasadena

pusd.us/blair

Blair High School is grades six through 12, serving middle and senior high schools. Blair High School’s mission is to nurture a community of active, globally minded, compassionate leaders who are lifelong learners, committed to service, and who understand and appreciate diversity of thought, culture and values.

CIS Academy

300 Madre Street, Pasadena

pusd.us/cis

CIS Academy is a TK to 12 school. TK to fifth is virtual. Students for sixth to 12th grades will have a choice to be virtual or in-person. In-person is a weekly one-on-one appointment with the student’s mentor teacher. There is also a variety of in-person classes and activities students can participate in if they choose to, those opportunities include seminar classes, CTE workshops in medical arts and entrepreneurship as well as college counseling services.

Flintridge Preparatory School

4543 Crown Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge

flintridgeprep.org

Based in La Cañada, Flintridge Preparatory School is a nonsectarian coeducational school for grades seven to 12. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities such as the Chandramohan Library at the heart of the campus, which includes two computer labs and college counseling.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

440 St. Katherine Drive, La Cañada Flintridge

fsha.org

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is a Catholic, Dominican, independent all-girls school in La Canada. The school welcomes girls of any and all religious backgrounds, leading and educating them toward a faithful life. It has a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with outstanding visual arts programs, an active athletics program, campus ministry, service and leadership opportunities.

Focus Point Academy

3126 Glenrose Avenue, Altadena

pusd.us/focuspoint

The Focus Point Academy provides students with the behavioral skills necessary to access academic curriculum and successfully transition to a mainstream campus or a less restrictive educational program. Educational and clinical staff work as a team to provide students with skills in socialization, problem resolution, and work closely with the student’s parents and families. Students have access to core curriculum and individualized educational programs. Special day classes are taught by credentialed teachers, with a 3:1 ratio of students to staff.

Immaculate Heart

5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles

immaculateheart.org

Immaculate Heart has spent 117 years nurturing the spiritual, intellectual, social and moral development of students. True to its philosophy and mission, the school has long been committed to addressing the uniqueness of individuals and thereby strengthening their belief in themselves and in their seemingly unlimited potential. Virtually 100% of its students go on to college immediately after graduation, often to some of the most prestigious in the country.

John Muir High School

1905 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena

pusd.us/muir

John Muir High School Early College Magnet aspires to excellence as a student-centered, comprehensive high school that is well known for its long-standing history of academic excellence, extracurricular activities and community involvement. The school also offers college courses through Pasadena City College, advanced placement, honors, support courses in language arts and mathematics, and special needs offerings. The school’s students are involved with their peers outside of the school day in one of the various sports teams, community service organizations, and academic and interest-based clubs.

La Salle

3880 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena

lasallehs.org

La Salle College Preparatory encourages student growth through exploration and discovery. La Salle is a private, co-educational Catholic school that pushes students to be curious within themselves and their education. It offers STEAM programs, athletic teams, plenty of service, and volunteer opportunities for its student body.

Maranatha High School

169 S. St. John Avenue, Pasadena

maranathahighschool.org

At Maranatha High School, the community focuses on training each student not only academically but also socially, physically and spiritually. It implements this with what it calls the “Maranatha Difference” through curriculum, activities, and plenty of opportunities for students to excel. With over 40 AP and honor classes offered over seven academic departments, Maranatha is equipped to provide an amazing education for boys and girls. The name “Maranatha” translates to “The Lord Cometh” where the school teaches its students that they shall patiently wait for Christ.

Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child Jesus

500 Bellefontaine Street, Pasadena

mayfieldsenior.org

Located in Pasadena, Mayfield Senior School implements a Holy Child Education fostered in its founder, Cornelia Connelly. These Holy Child values lead and inspire students to become young, confident women of faith. With its rigorous curriculum Mayfield makes sure to make the arts a priority. Mayfield celebrates over 175 years with the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. It celebrates and cherishes respect, love and joy for its all-female student body.

Pasadena High School

2925 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena

pusd.us/phs

Pasadena High School is one of four high schools under the Pasadena Unified School District. With just over 1,200 students, PHS is the most-populated high school in the district. Its student body draws kids from Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Altadena. It also serves around 160 students in its special education program. Students have the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular programs, including California State Scholarship Federation, National Honor Society and yearbook. In 2009 and 2021, Pasadena Weekly — Arroyo’s sister publication — voted PHS as the best public school in the city.

Rose City High School

351 S. Hudson Avenue, Pasadena

pusd.us/rosecity

Rose City High School is a continuation high school where students may enroll for a variety of reasons, including students who are deficient in credits, who may need a flexible schedule due to jobs or family circumstances, or who may better succeed in a smaller learning environment.

St. Francis High School

200 Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada

sfhs.net

St. Francis High School is a college preparatory school for boys in La Cañada. Its education incorporates the basic philosophy of the Catholic Church as well as the Capuchin Franciscan Order.

Westridge School

324 Madeline Drive, Pasadena

westridge.org

Westridge School is a lively learning environment for all girls from grades four to 12. In each classroom, students are encouraged to participate in active discussions, empowering girls to let their voices be heard. Through this, they learn how to communicate and analyze effectively. Westridge curriculum is research based where girls learn how to be assertive and initiative. These girls are empowered and taught that their individuality is valued as they make a jump into the world.

Boarding schools

EF Academy Pasadena

1505 E. Howard Street, Pasadena

efacademy.org

Through a personalized, experiential high school education in an unparalleled global community, EF Academy students unlock their potential and are steps ahead in navigating the interconnected world of the future. From experiential exchanges in the classroom to hands-on learning in clubs and activities, we are committed to cultivating each students’ full academic potential in a global community.

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