Arcadia Unified School District ranks in US top 1% for 3rd year

For the third consecutive year the Arcadia Unified School District is in the top 1% of nationwide school districts, according to Niche’s 2025 rankings.

The AUSD also has ranked among the top 10 school districts in California and has been lauded as the No. 1 place to teach in Los Angeles County, AUSD officials said Tuesday.

The district’s “report card” from Niche featured an A or A+ in categories that included Academics, College Prep, Teachers, Administration, Clubs & Activities and Resources & Facilities.

“Receiving this recognition for the third straight year is a profound honor and reflects the relentless dedication of our staff, the active involvement of our parents, and the supportive spirit of our entire community,” AUSD Superintendent David Vannasdall said in a statement. “This ranking is not just about numbers; it’s about our shared commitment to nurturing well-rounded, thoughtful, and engaged citizens. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our incredible staff, whose passion and expertise are the backbone of our success.”

Arcadia Unified’s other 2024 Niche results were:

• ninth-best school district in California;
• among the top 25 school districts in the state for the categories “Best Places to Teach” and “Districts with the Best Teachers”; and
• No. 1 in LA County for “Best Places to Teach.”

District officials attributed the consistent high rankings to “AUSD’s focus on holistic student development, integrating academic rigor with comprehensive support for mental health and wellness, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities.” The aim is to equip AUSD students academically as well as with life skills that enable success, according to the district.

Officials highlighted the Arcadia community’s role in the district’s high local, state and national rankings.

“Our community’s support is invaluable,” Vannasdall said. “From volunteering in classrooms to supporting our initiatives, the Arcadia community’s involvement has been pivotal in maintaining our status as one of the nation’s best school districts. This is truly a collective victory.”

Niche determines annual rankings via a detailed analysis of school districts and by parsing more than 100 million reviews and survey responses. Current and complete rankings for Arcadia Unified are on Niche’s website.

More information about the school district is at ausd.net.