John Muir High School, built to serve the northwest section of Pasadena, became the city’s second high school in 1926. Named after the 19th-century preservationist, it was originally called John Muir Technical High School, then operated as a junior college in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Since 2008, it’s been an early college magnet school, allowing students to earn up to two years of transferable college credit while attending the high school.
The school also offers an arts, entertainment and media academy, a business and entrepreneurship academy, and an engineering and environmental science academy.
Recent improvements at the school include a 1.5-acre campus farm, known as Muir Ranch, that provides internship opportunities for students. And the school has always provided numerous athletic teams for students: Its most famous alumnus, Jackie Robinson, played every sport offered before becoming the first Black major league baseball star. Among other notable alumni are science fiction author Octavia Butler, jazz musician Herbie Lewis, and rock singer David Lee Roth.
John Muir High School
Public High School
|
Grade 9-12
1905 Lincoln Ave,
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena Unified School District
School Details
Head of School
Dr. Lawton Gray IIi
Student Teacher Ratio
22:1
Average SAT Score
1080
Average ACT Score
22
Math Proficiency
12%
Reading Proficiency
47%
Average GPA
3.39
Graduation Rate
92%
Niche Grade
B
B-
A
B
C
B
C+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
|
Average GPA
3.39
|
Reading Proficiency
47%
|
|
Math Proficiency
12%
|
|
Teachers
|
Student Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers
52
|
Full Time Teachers
52
|
|
Teachers in First or Second Year
24.7%
|
|
College Prep
|
Average SAT
1080
Math
530
Verbal
550
|
Average ACT
22
Math
20
English
22
Reading
22
Science
22
|
|
Number of AP Courses
9
|
AP Math Enrollment
Very Low
|
|
AP Science Enrollment
Low
|
Other AP Enrollment
High
|
Clubs and Activities
|
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
|
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
|
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
|
Math
7.6%
State Average
19.4%
|
Science
5.8%
State Average
11.2%
|
Teachers and Staff
|
Students Per Counselor
233:1
|
Student Diversity
|
Male
52.4%
|
Female
46.8%
|
|
Hispanic
64.2%
|
Black
20.1%
|
|
White
9%
|
Two or more races
3.2%
|
|
Filipino
1.3%
|
Asian
1.2%
|
|
Native American
<1%
|
Pacific Islander
<1%
|
Specialty School Programs
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
University of California - Los Angeles
233 Students
University of California - Berkeley
151 Students
California State University - Northridge
141 Students
University of Southern California
132 Students
University of California - San Diego
109 Students
Pasadena City College
107 Students
University of California - Santa Barbara
102 Students
San Francisco State University
98 Students
San Diego State University
88 Students
University of California - Davis
87 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
71 Students
Psychology
65 Students
Nursing
49 Students
Biology
44 Students
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
25 Students
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
25 Students
Computer Science
23 Students
Mechanical Engineering
23 Students
Film and Video Studies
22 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
21 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
7/13/2025
Overall, John Muir high school is a very welcoming community. When walking into this school you feel safe and part of the school family.
10/16/2024
As a senior who has attended John Muir High School for all four years of my high school journey, I can say I am glad I attended this school. They offer business, engineering and entertainment/art courses that many love. The wide variety of classes one can take is great for those who aren't sure what they want to do yet. With a beautiful campus such as this one, i'm sure many generations of future students would be glad to call this their home.
6/17/2024
I really like it it was nice. But also I was able to learn new skills, information and techniques. soo it was alright. And the schools were good in the school and because of the school I was able to go to school form a school that taught me about school in school. And because of school I feel like school prepared me for school through school. I don't think I would be here without school because school is important in me getting to a school. without school I can not get into school if I don't go to school.So In the end school was beneficial because school allowed for the schools to accept me and reach me.
GreatSchools Reviews
4/6/2025
Our family is proud to say that the third generation is now attending John Muir High School Early College Magnet in Pasadena, CA—and with good reason. This school has been a pillar of excellence, growth, and opportunity for our family and the entire community.John Muir High School Early College Magn...
11/12/2024
Muir is definitely on the rise. It has a warm community vibe and robust team sports. It's a great local option for parents who would like to send their children to public school. Obviously, which school you send your children to is a very personal choice. I definitely suggest checking it out because...
9/5/2024
The office staff is terrible. Every interaction I’ve had with the attendance clerk has been met with an attitude.
9/1/2024
I am glad my child is gone. A lot of favoritism and picking with the head principal and VP of the school. It was outright unbelievable. I think the head of school should be rooting for all kids, just not your own.
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Map
Attendance Zone
Explore this Neighborhood
List Price Range
$741K - $1.4M
Homes For Sale
5
Average Home Value
$985,158
Median Lot Size
6,969 Sq Ft
% Renters
44%
Average Household Income
$106,921
% of College Grads
25.1%
Median Age
39
Average House Size
1,228 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
44.3%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
$3,400 - $3,850 per month
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- 1,000 Sq Ft
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Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
Parks in this Area
Brookside Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Football
- Grills
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Northwest Pasadena
Neighborhood of early 20th-century character homes bound by the highway
John Muir High School is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in Pasadena, CA and is served by the Pasadena Unified School District in California. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 936 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22:1. Academic records show that 12% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 47% are proficient in reading. John Muir High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of B+ and a GreatSchools Rating of 4 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.39, the graduation rate is 92%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1080 and an ACT score of 22. The average home value in this area is $985,158. Discover additional schools in the area, like La Canada High School, Blair High School, Marshall Fundamental, and more. Learn more about what Pasadena has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near John Muir High School.