For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 1,096 students in Modoc County, CA.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Modoc County, CA are Surprise Valley Elementary School, Modoc County Special Education and High Desert Community Day. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Modoc County, CA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 46% statewide average). Elementary schools in Modoc County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Modoc County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Surprise Valley Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
470 Lincoln St.
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-6141
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-6141
Gr: K-7 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
Modoc County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
139 Henderson St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7110
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7110
Gr: K-12
Rank: #33.
High Desert Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
802 North East St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Gr: 6-10 | 3 students Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
Shasta View Academy
Charter School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
675 Shasta View Dr.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Gr: K-12 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #55.
Alturas Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
809 West Eighth St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Gr: K-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Modoc Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
906 West Fourth St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Gr: 6-8 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Modoc County, CA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Modoc County, CA include Surprise Valley Elementary School, Modoc County Special Education and High Desert Community Day.
How many public elementary schools are located in Modoc County?
6 public elementary schools are located in Modoc County.
What is the racial composition of students in Modoc County?
Modoc County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.