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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best California Alternative Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 393 alternative public elementary schools serving 70,556 students in California.
The top-ranked alternative public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Elementary 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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
Davis School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
526 B St.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Gr: K-12 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1717.
Indigo
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
530 Gettysburg Dr.
San Jose, CA 95123
(408) 225-1881
Gr: K-8 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1818.
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
38 Crest Rd. West
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 378-9966
Gr: K-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5200
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
18605 Erwin St.
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Gr: 4-12 | 1,712 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2121.
Mountain Valley Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1010 Ramona St.
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Gr: K-12 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2222.
Venture (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10540 Albion Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
Gr: K-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2323.
Culver City Unified School District Iacademy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4601 Elenda St. Cp Annex
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 842-4200
Gr: K-12
Rank: #2424.
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5931 West 18th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Gr: 6-12 | 1,357 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Berryessa Union Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1376 Piedmont Rd.
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 923-1830
Gr: K-8
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Santee Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10250 El Nopal
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-2490
Gr: K-8 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2727.
Mariposa School Of Global Education
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6050 North Calmfield Ave.
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 707-7144
Gr: K-8 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Century Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
33 Greta St.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Gr: K-12 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Tustin Connect
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1151 San Juan St.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 430-2052
Gr: K-12 | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3030.
Oak Park Independent
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5801 Conifer St.
Oak Park, CA 91377
(818) 735-3260
Gr: K-12 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
Gold Ridge Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12784 Justice Center Dr.
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 536-2000
Gr: 1-12 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
Harry P B Carden
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1023 14th St.
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 741-6409
Gr: K-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
South Shores/csudh Visual And Performing Arts
Alternative School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2060 West 35th St.
San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 832-6596
Gr: K-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
Tehama Oaks High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1790 Walnut St.
Red Bluff, CA 96080
(530) 527-4052
Gr: K-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
Tulare Support
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
505 West Maple Ave.
Tulare, CA 93274
(559) 685-7376
Gr: K-8 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in California?
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in California include Science Academy Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and Mt. Everest Academy.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in California?
396 alternative public elementary schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

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