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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best California Alternative Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 1086 alternative public schools serving 148,851 students in California.
The top-ranked alternative public schools in California are Science Academy Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and Mt. Everest Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Schools in California (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Science Academy Stem Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Gr: 6-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #22.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Gr: 1-5 | 650 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Mt. Everest Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
Gr: K-12 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Technology High School
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
550 Bonnie Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 792-4825
Gr: 9-12 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #55.
Alameda Science And Technology Institute
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial P
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-4021
Gr: 9-12 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #66.
Sierra View Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1598 Hooker Oak Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Gr: K-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Academy Of The Redwoods
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7351 Tompkins Hill Rd.
Fortuna, CA 95540
(707) 476-4203
Gr: 9-12 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1260 West Esperanza St.
San Bernardino, CA 92410
(909) 888-4041
Gr: 9-12 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Soar High (Students On Academic Rise)
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3041 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6509
Gr: 9-12 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Early College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2990 Mesa Verde Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-7990
Gr: 9-12 | 177 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
William & Marian Ghidotti High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
250 Sierra College Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-5270
Gr: 9-12 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1212.
John F. Kennedy High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1951 Third St.
Norco, CA 92860
(951) 738-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1313.
Env Academy Of Research Tech And Earth Scis
Alternative School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2626 Michael Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-3686
Gr: K-5 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1414.
Mt. Sac Early College Academy At West Covina
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2226 East Rio Verde Dr.
West Covina, CA 91791
(626) 332-7217
Gr: 9-12 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
Irvine Unified School District Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3700 Chaparral Ave.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 517-1500
Gr: K-6 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1616.
Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1530 West 17th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 953-3900
Gr: 9-12 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Mission Vista High School
Alternative School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1306 Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,670 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1818.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Gr: K-8 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1919.
Asawa (Ruth) Sf School Of The Arts A Public School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
555 Portola Dr.
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 695-5700
Gr: 9-12 | 680 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2020.
International Polytechnic High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3851 West Temple Ave. Bldg. 12
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 839-2320
Gr: 9-12 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2121.
Oxnard Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4000 South Rose Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93033
(805) 278-5521
Gr: 9-12 | 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Parkview
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2189 North Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Gr: K-12 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Gr: K-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2424.
Public Safety Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
230 Atlantic Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Gr: 5-12 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2525.
Vintage Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
15848 Stare St.
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-8661
Gr: K-5 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2626.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Gr: K-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2727.
Meraki High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10700 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 971-5001
Gr: 8-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2828.
Design Science Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1101 E University Ave
Fresno, CA 93741
(559) 489-2270
Gr: 9-12 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2929.
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1200 North Cornwell St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 227-4400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,497 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3030.
El Camino High School
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
61 Day Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 289-7955
Gr: 9-12 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3131.
Grossmont Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7524
Gr: 11-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #3232.
Lomita Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2211 247th St.
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 784-6700
Gr: K-5 | 853 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3333.
Carpinteria Family
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1480 Linden Ave.
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4141
Gr: K-5 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3434.
Temple City Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5830 Kauffman Ave.
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 548-5243
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #3535.
Downtown Business High School
Alternative School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1200 West Colton St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 481-0371
Gr: 9-12 | 819 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 1,086 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public schools in California?
The top-ranked alternative public schools in California include Science Academy Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and Mt. Everest Academy.
How many alternative public schools are located in California?
1,091 alternative public schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

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