Schools in Chico Unified · Butte County

About schools in Butte County

Sixty-six ranked public schools spread across 13 districts gives Butte County families a surprisingly wide menu, from small rural elementaries to larger comprehensive high schools serving Chico, Oroville, Paradise, and Gridley. Charter schools make up a notable portion of that mix — 17 in total — reflecting a culture of alternative options that's genuinely baked into this county's educational landscape. Eight schools score in the top quartile statewide, with Inspire School of Arts and Sciences leading the pack at the 90th percentile, followed by Pleasant Valley High at the 83rd. Geography shapes the choices considerably, with Chico concentrating the strongest performers while more rural corners of the county offer smaller, community-anchored settings.