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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best California Alternative Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 935 alternative public high schools serving 124,254 students in California.
The top-ranked alternative public high schools in California are Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Technology High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 51% statewide average).
California alternative public high school have a Graduation Rate of 68%, which is less than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public High 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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #77.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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%
Rank: #2727.
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: #2828.
Mission Early College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3000 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 855-5532
Gr: 9-12 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2929.
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: #30 - 3130. - 31.
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: #30 - 3130. - 31.
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: #3232.
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: #3333.
Boyle Heights Hilda Solis High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
319 North Humphreys Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 729-1700
Gr: 9-12 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3434.
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: #3535.
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
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public high schools in California?
The top-ranked alternative public high schools in California include Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Technology High School.
How many alternative public high schools are located in California?
939 alternative public high schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public high schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

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