Elementary, Middle, and High School Age Children

Pasadena Unified School District offers a large variety of education options (dual language schools, art and music, international baccalaureate, etc...). Please visit this page for more information.

Enrollment and Age Requirements. School attendance is mandatory in California.

Kindergarten: Your child must be 5 years old by September 1 of the school year, even if school starts beforehand. If your child will turn 5 years old after September 1, there are alternatives:

Transitional Kindergarten: Your child must turn 5 years old between September 2 and December 2 of the school year.

Expanded Transitional Kindergarten: Your child must turn 5 years old between September 3 and the end of the school year.

Find a School. To identify your local school in Pasadena, go to the School Locator and enter your address. McKinley and Hamilton are elementary schools close to Caltech. The middle and high schools close to Caltech are Wilson and Blair.

You may also apply to a school outside of your neighborhood district. You will need to complete an application during Open Enrollment for the upcoming school year. Depending on availability, your child may be accepted in one of the schools you have selected or be placed on a waiting list.

Registration. In addition to the registration requirements listed on the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) website, non-US children will need to present a passport and immigration documentation.

English as Second Language. Your child may be placed in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class if he/she needs extra assistance with English. Public schools offer a free assessment by an English Language Specialist to determine whether your child is able to attend academic core curriculum in English or not yet.

After-School Programs. PUSD offers after-school programs in various schools in Pasadena. The Child Educational Center (CEC) offers a fee-based, after-school program close to Caltech on Michigan street, which provides transportation pick-up from certain local schools as far as South Pasadena (please, contact directly the CEC for more information).

School Uniforms. Most public schools have a core color uniform (navy blue, red, beige, white, or dark green) and closed toe shoes are required. The average cost is approximately $80 per year per child.

Resources from Caltech for Pasadena unified School District
Pasadena LEARNs is a nominal fee-based after-school science program at Madison and Jackson elementary schools in PUSD. Caltech is partnered with LEARNs and works with their Science Olympiad team.
Caltech Educational Outreach gives information for teachers and parents of children attending public school
Rise Program is a free tutoring program in math and science for middle and high-school students who attend PUSD. It's part of the Caltech Y

Parent Networks
Pasadena Education Network (PEN)
Pasadena Educational Foundation
Pasadena Education Foundation offers a summer enrichment program.

The alternative to public school is private school. There are religious and non religious private schools in and around Pasadena. Each school has its own curriculum, uniform requirements, daily schedule, and vacation schedule.

Find a School
California Association of Independent Schools
Pasadena Area Independent Schools

Tuition. Tuition for private schools may be significant and it varies according to grade level and whether or not there is a religious affiliation. For example, tuition for kindergarten in a non-religious private school starts around $18,000 and more per year and increases with higher grade levels. Religious schools are often less expensive than private school but may require consistent participation from the parents in the school spiritual life. Most private schools have some financial assistance available. We encourage you to contact each school directly about their financial assistance policies.

After-School Programs. Private schools offer fee-based, after-school programs.

Enrollment. In addition to meeting the age requirement, your child must pass a test based on both basic academic and developmental/social skills. Independent School Entrance Exam is a commonly used test.