Imperial County Schools & Education
Imperial County, California
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
56/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
86.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,181
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,762
School Score
56/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 55/100
State Score Position
#27
of 58 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Imperial County
Measured School Summary
Imperial County performs at an average level with a school score of 56/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.8%.
Funding Context
Imperial County spends $9,181 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 1% above the California average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Imperial County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
75 public schools and 19 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
56/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #27 of 58 California counties with school score data.
Completion
86.8%
0.7 pts below the state average
Funding context
$9,181
$419 above the state average
School coverage
75
19 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Imperial County has 75 public schools across 19 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Imperial County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Large multi-district county
Imperial County has many school records across many districts. County averages are only the opening screen; neighborhood-level assignment and grade-band fit matter more here.
State position
#27
of 58 California counties with school score data. The county score is roughly in line with the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 99% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Calexico Unified
Elementary to high school visible
8,353 students
12 listed schools in this county slice.
El Centro Elementary
Elementary and middle visible
5,256 students
13 listed schools in this county slice.
Imperial Unified
Elementary to high school visible
4,539 students
6 listed schools in this county slice.
Central Union High
High school only in this slice
4,093 students
5 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
El Centro Elementary is the largest listed district slice, with 13 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Imperial County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Imperial County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Which schools are missing enrollment or ratio fields, and does the district publish a newer local profile than the NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data?
Education Overview
About Schools in Imperial County, California
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Border Region Education Infrastructure
Imperial County serves 37,420 students through a network of 75 public schools and 19 districts. The system includes 38 elementary schools and 21 high schools, along with 14 alternative schools to support diverse learning needs. Charter schools are less common here, representing only 4% of the total educational facilities.
Large Districts Powering the Valley
Calexico Unified is the county's largest district, managing 12 schools and 8,353 students. El Centro Elementary also plays a major role with 13 schools and over 5,000 students. Calexico High stands out as the largest individual campus, providing a comprehensive high school experience for 2,836 local students.
A Mix of Suburban and Urban Learning
The county offers a diverse mix of locales, with 22 schools in suburban areas and 21 in city centers. The average school size is 513 students, though secondary schools like Central Union High and Brawley Union High are significantly larger, each enrolling nearly 2,000 students. This variety allows families to choose between different neighborhood feels while remaining in the same region.
School Overview
Total Schools
75
in Imperial County
Reported Enrollment
37,420
74 schools reporting
School Districts
19
districts
Charter Schools
3
4% of total
School Level Breakdown
19 School Districts in Imperial County
Calexico Unified
GuideEl Centro Elementary
GuideImperial Unified
GuideCentral Union High
GuideBrawley Elementary
GuideBrawley Union High
Holtville Unified
McCabe Union Elementary
Heber Elementary
Calipatria Unified
75 Public Schools in Imperial County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 7 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 75 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calexico High | Profile | Calexico Unified | Calexico, 92231Suburb: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 2,836 |
| Central Union High | Profile | Central Union High | El Centro, 92243City: Small | 9–12 | High | 1,957 |
| Southwest High | Profile | Central Union High | El Centro, 92243City: Small | 9–12 | High | 1,889 |
| Brawley Union High | Profile | Brawley Union High | Brawley, 92227Town: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 1,868 |
| Imperial High | Profile | Imperial Unified | Imperial, 92251Suburb: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,362 |
| McCabe Elementary | Profile | McCabe Union Elementary | El Centro, 92243Rural: Fringe | KG–8 | Primary | 1,209 |
| Frank M. Wright Middle | Profile | Imperial Unified | Imperial, 92251Suburb: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 1,023 |
| Barbara Worth Junior High | Record | Brawley Elementary | Brawley, 92227Town: Fringe | 7–8 | Middle | 933 |
| Phil D. Swing Elementary | Record | Brawley Elementary | Brawley, 92227Town: Fringe | KG–6 | Primary | 849 |
| Ben Hulse Elementary | Record | Imperial Unified | Imperial, 92251Suburb: Midsize | KG–5 | Primary | 794 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary | Record | Calexico Unified | Calexico, 92231Suburb: Midsize | KG–6 | Primary | 790 |
| Myron D. Witter Elementary | Record | Brawley Elementary | Brawley, 92227Town: Fringe | KG–6 | Primary | 781 |
| J. W. Oakley Elementary | Record | Brawley Elementary | Brawley, 92227Town: Fringe | KG–6 | Primary | 740 |
| Imperial Cross Elementary | Record | Imperial Unified | Imperial, 92251Rural: Fringe | KG–5 | Primary | 710 |
| Enrique Camarena Jr. High | Record | Calexico Unified | Calexico, 92231Suburb: Midsize | 7–8 | Middle | 669 |
| Sea View Elementary | Record | Coachella Valley Unified | Salton City, 92275Rural: Distant | KG–6 | Primary | 652 |
| Dogwood Elementary | Record | Heber Elementary | Heber, 92249Rural: Fringe | KG–4 | Primary | 646 |
| Dool Elementary | Record | Calexico Unified | Calexico, 92231Suburb: Midsize | KG–6 | Primary | 645 |
| William Moreno Junior High | Record | Calexico Unified | Calexico, 92231Suburb: Midsize | 7–8 | Middle | 643 |
| Jefferson Elementary | Record | Calexico Unified | Calexico, 92231Suburb: Midsize | KG–6 | Primary | 631 |
Calexico High
Calexico Unified
Calexico, 92231 / Suburb: Midsize
Central Union High
Central Union High
El Centro, 92243 / City: Small
Southwest High
Central Union High
El Centro, 92243 / City: Small
Brawley Union High
Brawley Union High
Brawley, 92227 / Town: Fringe
Imperial High
Imperial Unified
Imperial, 92251 / Suburb: Midsize
McCabe Elementary
McCabe Union Elementary
El Centro, 92243 / Rural: Fringe
Frank M. Wright Middle
Imperial Unified
Imperial, 92251 / Suburb: Midsize
Phil D. Swing Elementary
Brawley Elementary
Brawley, 92227 / Town: Fringe
Cesar Chavez Elementary
Calexico Unified
Calexico, 92231 / Suburb: Midsize
Myron D. Witter Elementary
Brawley Elementary
Brawley, 92227 / Town: Fringe
Imperial Cross Elementary
Imperial Unified
Imperial, 92251 / Rural: Fringe
Enrique Camarena Jr. High
Calexico Unified
Calexico, 92231 / Suburb: Midsize
Sea View Elementary
Coachella Valley Unified
Salton City, 92275 / Rural: Distant
William Moreno Junior High
Calexico Unified
Calexico, 92231 / Suburb: Midsize
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,181
State avg $8,762
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Imperial County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which California counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in California?
How should I read the school score in Imperial County?
What is the graduation rate in Imperial County?
How much does Imperial County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Imperial County, California — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Imperial County, California?
Imperial County serves 37,420 students through a network of 75 public schools and 19 districts. The system includes 38 elementary schools and 21 high schools, along with 14 alternative schools to support diverse learning needs. Charter schools are less common here, representing only 4% of the total educational facilities.
What are the major school districts in Imperial County, California?
Calexico Unified is the county's largest district, managing 12 schools and 8,353 students. El Centro Elementary also plays a major role with 13 schools and over 5,000 students. Calexico High stands out as the largest individual campus, providing a comprehensive high school experience for 2,836 local students.
What is the school experience like in Imperial County?
The county offers a diverse mix of locales, with 22 schools in suburban areas and 21 in city centers. The average school size is 513 students, though secondary schools like Central Union High and Brawley Union High are significantly larger, each enrolling nearly 2,000 students. This variety allows families to choose between different neighborhood feels while remaining in the same region.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.