GreatSchools Ratings Update: What the Latest Changes Mean for Bay Area Families

If you've recently checked your local school's rating on GreatSchools, you may have noticed something surprising: scores have shifted. Again. Across the Bay Area and beyond, many highly-regarded schools have seen their ratings rise, with numerous high schools reclaiming those 10s and many elementary schools jumping several points.

So what’s behind this rebound? It’s not that schools changed overnight — it’s that GreatSchools updated its rating system once again.

A Lookback: Why the Scores Changed

Over the years, GreatSchools has revised its methodology multiple times to balance academic achievement with broader measures of student success.

• Before 2013: California parents often relied on the state’s API (Academic Performance Index), which focused almost entirely on test scores.

• 2017 onward: GreatSchools moved away from test scores alone, incorporating factors such as “academic progress” (growth over time) and “equity” (how well schools served different student groups). This caused many traditionally strong schools to see their ratings fall, even if standardized test results remained high.

• July 2025 update: 

• A New "Academic Success" Indicator: This new feature replaces the former Equity Rating. It's designed to highlight schools demonstrating strong academic outcomes for students from all backgrounds. The underlying data on student group performance remains available on school profiles for transparency, but it no longer factors directly into the overall numerical rating.

• Broader Rating Eligibility: Schools in states with limited data can now receive a rating based on a single themed rating (like Test Scores or College Readiness), making information accessible to more families.

The stated goal of this 2025 update, according to CEO Jon Deane, is to provide a "simpler experience" that allows families to "prioritize what matters most to their family."

The Result: Higher Ratings Across the Bay

Because the new formula places greater weight on standardized academic performance, many Bay Area schools — already known for strong test results and college preparation — have bounced back up the scale.

Several high schools in Cupertino, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, and San Mateo County are now rated a 10. Elementary schools that had languished in the 6–7 range despite strong test scores, such as Santa Rita, have climbed back to 9.

For families house-hunting in competitive districts, this rebound is hard to ignore. But it also raises a question: if so many schools are clustered at the top, how do you tell them apart?

Beyond the Number: A Well-Rounded View for Families

A single number, whether it's a 6, 9, or 10, can never tell the full story of a school's environment, culture, or fit for your child. The recent changes make it more important than ever to dig deeper.

1. Compare Multiple Sources

   
   

   

   
   

   Niche.com: Includes parent/student reviews and campus culture.

   SchoolDigger: Focuses on academic performance and standardized tests.

   California School Dashboard: The official state site reporting graduation rates, test scores, and more.

   
   

2. Visit in Person 

   
   

   

   
   

   Walk the campus, attend open houses, and talk with parents and teachers. Atmosphere, safety, extracurriculars, and teacher-student relationships can’t be captured in a 1–10 scale.

   
   

3. Think Beyond Scores

   
   

   

A great school is not just about test results. Consider commute times, after-school opportunities, diversity of programs, and how well the school aligns with your family’s priorities.

What This Means for Real Estate

For homeowners, higher scores may feel like good news — especially since “school rating” filters on Redfin and Zillow strongly influence buyer perception. But if every top district school is a 9 or 10, the prestige of the rating itself may feel diluted. Buyers will likely dig deeper, looking at neighborhood amenities, home condition, and long-term investment value rather than relying on scores alone.

The Bottom Line

GreatSchools' latest update simplifies its ratings, responding to parent feedback for a clearer, more academic-focused snapshot. However, it also reminds us that quantifying school quality is complex and ever-evolving.

Choose a school, not just a score. The best school for your child isn't always the one with the highest number—it's the one that offers the right environment, support, and opportunities for them to thrive. Use these ratings as a starting point for your research, not the final word.

Looking to navigate the Bay Area's competitive real estate market with these new school ratings in mind? Contact me today to discuss how these changes impact your home search or sale strategy!