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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best California Alternative Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 493 alternative public middle schools serving 71,658 students in California.
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in California are Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Capistrano Home/virtual. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Middle 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.
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: #33.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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: #2121.
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: #22 - 2322. - 23.
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: #22 - 2322. - 23.
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: #2424.
Cambridge Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
830 South Dale St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 999-7757
Gr: 7-12 | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2525.
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: #26 - 3126. - 31.
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: #26 - 3126. - 31.
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: #26 - 3126. - 31.
Rockey Glenn Camp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1900 North Sycamore Canyon Rd.
Downey, CA 90242
(909) 599-8435
Gr: 7-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #26 - 3126. - 31.
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: #26 - 3126. - 31.
Thomas E. Mathews Community
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1127 E St.
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 749-4025
Gr: 7-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #26 - 3126. - 31.
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%
Rank: #3232.
Svusd Virtual Academy (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
25952 Cordillera Dr.
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 830-3400
Gr: K-12 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #3333.
Monte Vista Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1003 Presidio Sq.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 515-6690
Gr: 7-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #3434.
Pacifica Independent Home Study
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1283 Terra Nova Blvd
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 738-6670
Gr: K-8 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3535.
Rancho Learning Center (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
150 South Third Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 821-6629
Gr: K-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 493 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public middle schools in California?
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in California include Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Capistrano Home/virtual.
How many alternative public middle schools are located in California?
496 alternative public middle schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public middle schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

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