Best Schools in San Jose 2025

There are some of the best schools in San Jose, offering high-quality education for students of all ages. Whether you’re looking for top-rated public schools, private institutions, or specialized programs, San Jose has many excellent options to support your child’s learning and growth. This guide highlights some of the best schools in the area to help families make informed choices for their children’s education.

Murdock-Portal Elementary School

Murdock-Portal Elementary School in San Jose, California, offers a unique and forward-thinking educational environment designed to support the academic, emotional, and social growth of every student. The school is distinguished by its use of multi-age classrooms, a modified year-round calendar, a balanced instructional focus, and a school-wide commitment to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

Multi-Age Classrooms for Deeper Connections

Students at Murdock-Portal spend two years within the same “village,” learning with a consistent home teacher and two partner teachers. This structure—organized into K/1, 2/3, and 4/5 grade classrooms—encourages deeper bonds between students and educators, fostering emotional security that supports academic risk-taking and goal setting. Teachers collaborate to tailor instruction to the individual learning levels of each child, ensuring personalized educational experiences. Kindergarten at Murdock-Portal is a full-day program, providing early learners with the time and support they need to thrive.

Modified Year-Round Calendar

Unlike traditional academic schedules, Murdock-Portal operates on a modified year-round calendar, beginning earlier in August and ending later in June. Breaks are distributed throughout the year to reduce long instructional gaps, supporting better retention and engagement. This schedule is designed to keep learning consistent and to reduce the learning loss often associated with long summer vacations.

A Balanced, 21st Century Curriculum

Murdock-Portal is committed to preparing students to be creative, flexible, and responsible 21st-century learners. The school emphasizes project-based learning and integrates educational technology across the curriculum to keep instruction both relevant and engaging. In alignment with the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) core curriculum, students receive instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, computers, art, and music. Each student collaborates with their teacher to create an individualized learning plan, which is revisited twice a year during parent-teacher conferences.

Collaborative Staff Philosophy

The staff at Murdock-Portal work together to maintain a consensus-based learning environment and continuously evaluate their instructional focus. Teachers prioritize creating a warm, community-oriented atmosphere and value strong home-school communication. Parent participation is both welcomed and encouraged, contributing to the family-like culture of the school.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Murdock-Portal is proud to be a PBIS school. PBIS is a framework designed to enhance both academic and behavioral outcomes for students through clearly defined expectations and consistent, positive reinforcement. The school uses a Behavior Matrix to communicate expected behaviors in various settings such as classrooms, hallways, the playground, and the library. These behaviors are explicitly taught and reinforced through verbal acknowledgments and Portal Pride Tickets.

The goal of PBIS at Murdock-Portal is to create an environment where more time is dedicated to teaching and less to discipline, thereby fostering a respectful and productive school culture. The school continues to refine this framework to meet the evolving needs of its community.

A Strong Community Focus

Located at 1188 Wunderlich Drive in San Jose, Murdock-Portal Elementary is a school where innovation, collaboration, and care intersect to create a dynamic learning environment. With a dedicated staff, active parent engagement, and a focus on individualized student growth, Murdock-Portal provides a nurturing and academically enriching experience for all students.

Challenger School | Best Schools in San Jose

In 1960, while teaching in a public school, Barbara Baker grew increasingly concerned that her first-grade students had not received any academic instruction in kindergarten. She believed this lack of early education deprived them of the crucial years needed to establish a strong foundation for learning.

At the time, public schools had moved away from phonics instruction in favor of the “sight method”—teaching children to read by memorizing whole words rather than understanding letter-sound relationships. Alarmed by this shift, and just before the birth of her fifth child, Barbara made the decision to leave the public school system. She founded her own preschool, determined to teach phonics to young children before they entered public school. As she explained, “I figured that if they learned phonics in preschool, no one could take that away from them. And in the meantime, I could teach my new little daughter and teach only in the mornings.”

Barbara’s decision came at a pivotal moment. Rudolph Flesch’s best-selling book Why Johnny Can’t Read had brought national attention to the failures of the sight-reading method. Parents in the growing Silicon Valley region were eager for alternatives, especially those grounded in phonics-based reading instruction.

In the beginning, Barbara’s preschool had just six paying students. Though she had planned to work only part-time, demand for her teaching quickly grew. Within two years, the school had expanded to 100 half-day preschoolers, with another 100 on a waiting list. Parents were drawn to the school’s engaging environment where children sang songs, participated eagerly, and showed enthusiasm for learning.

Over the years, Challenger School expanded deliberately and thoughtfully in order to maintain high academic standards. Today, Challenger School operates 27 campuses across five western states, serving more than 10,000 students annually from preschool through eighth grade.

Barbara Baker remained actively involved as CEO of Challenger School until her passing in 2012 at the age of 81. Her vision and dedication continue to inspire the school’s staff and leadership to uphold the mission she set in motion.

60-Year Milestone

In 2023, Challenger School celebrated its 60th anniversary. Year after year, students at Challenger continue to thrive by embracing challenges and discovering self-worth through achievement. This success is credited to the school’s unwavering mission, effective teaching methods, dedicated staff, and strong parental support.

Mission Statement

Challenger School’s mission is to prepare children to become:

Self-reliant, productive individuals;
Thinkers, speakers, and writers with clarity, precision, and independence;
Individuals who recognize and value their own uniqueness and unalienable rights;
People inspired to embrace challenge and to find joy and self-worth through achievement.

Philosophy and Purpose

While the mission is written with children in mind, it also reflects the qualities Challenger seeks in its employees and community members—traits such as self-reliance, honesty, rationality, and integrity. These values guide not only the school’s curriculum but also its operations, personnel management, and relationships with families.

Challenger expects all staff to conduct themselves and teach in alignment with these values. Though personal beliefs are not dictated, the school emphasizes that all professional interactions and classroom practices must reflect Challenger’s foundational principles.

The publication and discussion of Challenger’s core beliefs aim to encourage everyone associated with the school to appreciate the power of ideas in shaping their lives. These guiding ideas define purpose, drive actions, and serve as a compass for thoughtful, principled living.

Starting Early, Starting Right

At Challenger School, early childhood education is seen as both an opportunity and a responsibility. Teaching young children effectively is crucial because it forms the basis for all future learning. A key factor in Challenger’s success is its ability to integrate academic instruction with fun, making learning both effective and enjoyable.

For example, preschool students at Challenger are taught that numbers represent real-world quantities. Lessons are reinforced through songs, games, and interactive questions—such as, “If you have two cookies and your friend gives you one more, how many do you have?” This approach fosters genuine understanding, not just rote counting.

Though two children may both count to 25, a Challenger student will typically show deeper comprehension of what those numbers mean, laying the groundwork for more advanced mathematical concepts. Across all subjects, singing, dancing, and play are seamlessly integrated with academic instruction—blurring the line between fun and learning.

Building True Self-Worth

A fundamental principle at Challenger School is that self-worth cannot be given—it must be earned. While many educators claim they can instill self-esteem in students, Challenger believes that genuine self-worth arises from a child’s own effort and achievement.

Challenger does not attempt to give children self-worth through praise or approval. Instead, the school teaches students to think critically and independently, allowing them to experience the satisfaction of mastering their own minds and abilities.

Over time, students come to recognize their potential, gain confidence, and develop a strong sense of self grounded in personal achievement—not in external validation. While Challenger cannot “give” a child self-worth, it can guide and support the child in building it for themselves—creating a lasting sense of purpose and pride that children carry with them beyond the classroom.

San Jose Christian School

San Jose Christian School (SJCS) has been partnering with Christian families since 1959 to provide students with a strong foundation for life—academically, spiritually, and socially. With a commitment to excellence in both faith and education, SJCS prepares students for success in high school and beyond. The school’s approach combines rigorous academics with faith-infused, age-appropriate curriculum designed to help students engage meaningfully with the world around them.

At every level, students are taught how to think critically, discern wisely, and make a difference in their communities. Every teacher at SJCS is a committed Christian who is passionate about mentoring young people and nurturing the development of the Whole Child. Students are known and valued as individuals, with teachers who support not only their academic growth but also their physical, spiritual, and social development.

Guided by Proverbs 22:6—“Start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it”—SJCS aims to cultivate students who are equipped to be world-changers and cultural influencers for Jesus Christ.

A Legacy of Faith and Learning

San Jose Christian School began in the fall of 1959, when a group of dedicated parents from local Reformed churches opened the school after years of planning and prayer. Motivated by a covenantal sense of responsibility to God, these parents desired to raise their children to live lives of love and service, grounded in Christian values and academic excellence. They believed strongly in the integration of spiritual formation and intellectual development, reflecting Jesus’ command in Matthew 22:37 to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

The founders of SJCS saw no conflict between spiritual and academic goals; instead, they viewed both as essential and complementary components of a Christian education. Their vision continues to shape the school’s purpose and direction more than six decades later.

San Jose Christian School Today

Since relocating to its current campus in Campbell in 1988, SJCS has continued to grow in scope and impact. In 2009, the school expanded to include a California state-licensed Preschool, followed by the opening of an Infant Care Center in 2013. Today, SJCS serves students from infancy through eighth grade, maintaining its mission of providing a Christ-centered education in a nurturing and academically challenging environment.

The SJCS community includes families from over 50 churches, as well as numerous ministry leaders. This diversity creates a vibrant and unified example of the body of Christ in action—students experience firsthand how Christians can support one another and live in community.

San Jose Christian School holds dual accreditation through Christian Schools International (CSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It is one of only three schools in the nation to earn this distinction. The school undergoes a thorough review every five years, which includes self-evaluation, site visits, and strategic planning for continuous improvement. These accreditations reflect SJCS’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in faith-based education.

Academic and Spiritual Foundation

SJCS offers a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students academically and spiritually for life beyond the classroom. The curriculum is intentionally faith-infused and focused on preparing students for Christian leadership and service. Graduates of SJCS excel in the high schools of their choice and are equipped to impact the world for Christ.

Standardized testing through the MAP Growth Assessment shows that SJCS students consistently outperform their peers in both public and private schools across California in all subjects and grade levels. The data collected is used not just for assessment, but also to personalize learning. Teachers at SJCS provide differentiated instruction, ensuring that students receive the support and challenge they need to thrive.

The school embraces the concept of teaching the Whole Child, understanding that every student has been uniquely created by God with different abilities and gifts. SJCS holds each student to a personal standard of excellence within a safe and supportive learning environment.

To further support students, the Arlet Veurink Learning Center was established in 2000. This dedicated resource offers specialized instruction for students in grades 1–5 who need additional help in areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, reading comprehension, and writing. This unique Language Arts pull-out program is one of many ways SJCS ensures every student receives the care and attention they need to succeed.

A Community Rooted in Faith

San Jose Christian School continues to live out its mission by preparing students to lead with wisdom, courage, and faith. Through strong academics, spiritual development, and a loving community, SJCS remains steadfast in its purpose: to raise up the next generation of Christian leaders who are ready to serve and transform the world for Jesus Christ.

Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet School

Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet, a California Distinguished School located in San Jose, is committed to helping students explore and understand the natural world. With a unique one-acre outdoor classroom that features California native plants and pond ecosystems, students are encouraged to engage deeply with environmental science through hands-on experiences. Each student receives science instruction from both a dedicated resource teacher and their classroom teacher, enriching their academic journey with scheduled indoor and outdoor laboratory lessons and access to a computer-training center.

The school is focused on academic achievement, especially in literacy and math. It has set a goal for all students to be reading at grade level by the end of third grade. To support this, Hacienda uses data-driven instruction, ongoing professional development for staff, and targeted strategies to close the achievement gap among student subgroups. Programs such as Lexia, DreamBox, and Achieve3000 are used to support blended learning, while gifted students receive enrichment within the regular classroom setting.

Hacienda celebrates the diversity of its school community, recognizing that this diversity enriches the school’s culture and fosters a welcoming environment. Staff, parents, and guardians work together to support each child’s educational journey, and families are encouraged to take part in school committees and related organizations.

In addition to its strong academic programs, Hacienda offers support services for students with special needs, including Resource Specialist Program teachers (RSP), Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), an Occupational Therapist (OT), a school counselor, and trained academic intervention staff.

The school also places importance on the arts, offering a balanced music program as part of its extended day. While striving for academic excellence, Hacienda also values creating an enjoyable and supportive learning environment for all students.

For families interested in visiting the campus, Hacienda provides visitor guidelines and encourages community involvement. Go Hacienda Hawks!

Rocketship Public Schools

Rocketship Public Schools is a nonprofit network of public elementary charter schools committed to unlocking the limitless potential in every student. With a strong belief in equal access to opportunity, Rocketship provides a transformational education experience that prepares students in underserved communities for success. Every child, referred to as a “Rocketeer,” is empowered to dream, discover, and develop their unique abilities in an environment that fosters growth, creativity, and achievement.

A Mission of Change

Founded with a mission to catalyze transformative change in low-income communities, Rocketship operates a scalable and sustainable school model. The organization focuses on closing the achievement gap through excellent instruction, talent development, and strong parent partnerships. Rocketship believes that by investing in students, educators, and families, public schools can truly thrive and deliver exceptional outcomes regardless of ZIP code or socioeconomic background.

Core Values and Vision

Rocketship’s core values—Authenticity, Community, Tenacity, Innovation, and Excellence—are central to everything the schools do. These values guide daily interactions and decisions, ensuring that both students and educators are striving for meaningful progress and lasting impact. The organization’s vision is centered on ensuring equal access to opportunity for all children, regardless of their background.

A Distinctive School Model

Rocketship schools follow a unique structure where students rotate through four core content blocks each day: Humanities, STEM, Learning Lab, and Enrichment. This approach allows for teacher specialization, deeper subject expertise, and more collaborative instruction. Teachers are at the heart of student learning, leading both whole group instruction and individualized support through small groups, adaptive technology, and targeted tutoring.

Data plays a vital role in Rocketship’s instructional design. Through regular assessments and detailed analysis, educators are able to tailor instruction to each student’s academic needs, ensuring mastery of concepts and long-term academic success.

Whole Child Education

Rocketship’s commitment to educating the whole child is reflected in its strong focus on social-emotional learning, character development, and positive behavior support. Schools emphasize values like persistence, empathy, respect, and responsibility. In addition to core academics, students enjoy enrichment classes such as art, dance, gardening, nutrition, and music, all selected in partnership with parents to reflect each school’s unique community.

Deep Family Engagement

Parental involvement is foundational at Rocketship. Families help name schools, choose enrichment activities, and define each school’s unique fifth core value. Rocketship’s annual home visits—where teachers visit the homes of every student—build strong, trust-based relationships between school staff and families. This approach strengthens communication, builds cultural understanding, and ensures students are supported both in and out of the classroom.

Leadership and Operations

Each Rocketship campus is led by a dedicated team that includes a principal, two assistant principals, a business operations manager, and an office manager. This leadership team supports a staff of educators, tutors, and support personnel, ensuring a consistent, high-quality learning environment. Principals and assistant principals provide ongoing coaching, conduct classroom observations, and lead data-driven instructional planning. The business operations manager oversees logistics and school culture, enabling teachers to focus fully on teaching.

A Movement for Educational Equity

Rocketship is more than a school system—it is a movement to create educational equity across underserved communities. By reimagining public education and redefining what’s possible, Rocketship is proving that with the right support and model, all students can achieve at high levels. The network’s results continue to demonstrate the powerful impact of personalized instruction, teacher development, and strong family engagement.

St. Victor School

St. Victor School, a longstanding pillar of Catholic education in San Jose, has been serving students and families for more than 60 years. The school first opened its doors in 1964 with 215 students in first through fifth grade, eventually expanding to include all grades through eighth. Today, St. Victor School offers a comprehensive educational program from Preschool through eighth grade, and has proudly educated thousands of students since its founding.

Established as part of St. Victor Parish in 1961, the school has been deeply influenced by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, whose charism of unity and reconciliation continues to shape its educational and spiritual philosophy. St. Victor School is committed to educating the whole child—academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally—so each student is fully prepared to meet the challenges of the modern world.

In a faith-centered environment, the school fosters the development of children into lifelong learners, compassionate citizens, and individuals grounded in Catholic values. St. Victor School embraces the partnership between parents and educators, recognizing parents as the primary educators and working closely with families to support student growth.

The administration, faculty, and staff are dedicated to teaching Gospel values, building a strong sense of community, and encouraging service to others. Students are provided with a nurturing, inclusive atmosphere where they are encouraged to recognize and respect the unique gifts of every individual.

Through its mission, vision, and educational philosophy, St. Victor School continues to provide a safe and supportive learning environment rooted in faith, academic excellence, and service, preparing students for a life of purpose and leadership.

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