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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best California Alternative Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 alternative public charter schools serving 6,182 students in California.
The top-ranked alternative public charter schools in California are Rite Of Passage, Island Community Day and Pathways Charter Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the California public charter school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Charter Schools in California (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rite Of Passage
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10400 Fricot City Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Gr: 9-12 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Island Community Day
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1776 Sixth Avenue Dr.
Kingsburg, CA 93631
(559) 897-1046
Gr: 4-8 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Pathways Charter Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1895 Lassen Blvd.
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 822-2480
Gr: K-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Placer County Pathways Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
360 Nevada St.
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Gr: K-12 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #55.
Charter Home Study Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6520 Oak Dell Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-6984
Gr: K-8 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Mountainside Middle College High School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6767 Green Valley Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Gr: K-12 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #77.
Golden Gate Community
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1111 Stoneman Ave.
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 427-3199
Gr: 6-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #88.
Venture Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2829 Transworld Dr.
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-5940
Gr: K-12 | 1,657 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #99.
Pioneer Technical Center
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1665 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Gr: K-12 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Leadership Military Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
13730 Perris Blvd.
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
(951) 421-8450
Gr: 9-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
William Finch
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
607 East Tehama St.
Orland, CA 95963
(530) 865-1683
Gr: K-12 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
California Heritage Youthbuild Academy Ii
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
8544 Airport Rd.
Redding, CA 96002
(530) 378-5254
Gr: 9-12 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Madera County Independent Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1635 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Gr: K-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1414.
Cbk Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3939 13th St.
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-6461
Gr: 9-12 | 612 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1515.
One.charter
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2707 Transworld Dr.
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-4847
Gr: K-12 | 1,356 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
Open Door Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 840-8199
Gr: 9-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Opportunity Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
313 West Winton Ave.
Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 670-7602
Gr: 10-12 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Phoenix Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
1111 Las Gallinas Ave.
San Rafael, CA 94913
(415) 491-0581
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: n/an/a
Stanislaus Alternative Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
1325 H St.
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 238-8650
Gr: 9-12 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 79%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public charter schools in California?
The top-ranked alternative public charter schools in California include Rite Of Passage, Island Community Day and Pathways Charter Academy.
How many alternative public charter schools are located in California?
19 alternative public charter schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public charter schools minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).

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