Public schools in Altadena, CA
5 open public schools with an address in Altadena, operated by 3 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
5
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
2,447
5 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
23.4:1
California median 21.6:1
Charter schools
2
3 magnet · 0 virtual
An overview of Altadena public schools
The federal directory lists 5 public schools in Altadena, CA: 4 elementary, 1 middle. The 5 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 2,447 students, an average of 489 per school. The largest campus is Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary (658 students).
Pasadena Unified operates the most schools here (3), plus 2 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 23.4:1, higher than the statewide school median of 21.6:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 2 charter schools, 3 magnet schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
About 47% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Altadena
Elementary schools in Altadena
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altadena Elementary Pasadena Unified · Magnet | KG–05 | 527 | 23.4:1 | |
| Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary Pasadena Unified · Magnet | KG–05 | 658 | 24.7:1 | |
| OCS - South OCS - South District · Charter | KG–08 | 392 | 19.6:1 | |
| Odyssey Charter Odyssey Charter District · Charter | KG–08 | 463 | 25.7:1 |
Middle schools in Altadena
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles W. Eliot Middle Pasadena Unified · Magnet | 06–08 | 407 | 16.9:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White25.8%
- Hispanic46%
- Black11.5%
- Asian4.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial11.8%
Enrollment-weighted across 5 Altadena schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (2,447 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Altadena
How many public schools are in Altadena, CA?
The current NCES directory lists 5 open public schools with a location address in Altadena: 4 elementary, 1 middle. Together they reported 2,447 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Altadena?
Schools with an address in Altadena belong to 3 education agencies, led by Pasadena Unified (3 schools), OCS - South District (1 school), Odyssey Charter District (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
Are there charter schools in Altadena?
Yes. 2 of the 5 public schools in Altadena are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including OCS - South, Odyssey Charter. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Altadena schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Altadena public schools is 23.4:1, higher than the California school median of 21.6:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Altadena guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby California cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All California cities