Top 10 Best California Alternative Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 1095 alternative public schools serving 197,004 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public schools in California are Science Stem Magnet, Alameda Science And Technology Institute and Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School. 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 29% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best California Alternative Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Science Stem Magnet
Alternative School
Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Grades: 6-12
| 443 students
Rank: #22.
Alameda Science And Technology Institute
Alternative School
Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial P
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-4021
Grades: 9-12
| 168 students
Rank: #33.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative School
Math: 88% | Reading: 88%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Grades: 1-5
| 672 students
Rank: #44.
William & Marian Ghidotti High School
Alternative School
Reading: ≥80%
Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
250 Sierra College Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-5270
Grades: 9-12
| 152 students
Rank: #55.
Mt. Everest Academy
Alternative School
Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
Grades: K-12
| 227 students
Rank: #66.
Middle College High School
Alternative School
Math: 70-74% | Reading: 90-94%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1260 W. Esperanza St.
San Bernardino, CA 92410
(909) 888-4041
Grades: 9-12
| 249 students
Rank: #77.
Design Science Middle College High School
Alternative School
Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1101 E Univ Ave
Fresno, CA 93741
(559) 489-2270
Grades: 9-12
| 261 students
Rank: #88.
Downtown Business High School
Alternative School
Math: 66% | Reading: 84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1081 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 481-0371
Grades: 9-12
| 903 students
Rank: #99.
Technology High School
Alternative School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 90-94%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
550 Bonnie Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 792-4825
Grades: 9-12
| 342 students
Rank: #10 - 1210. - 12.
California Preparatory Academy
Alternative School
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-5317
Grades: 9-12
| 295 students
Rank: #10 - 1210. - 12.
Horizons School: Independent Study
Alternative School
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1 Santa Barbara Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 682-8000
Grades: K-12
| 531 students
Rank: #10 - 1210. - 12.
Parkview
Alternative School
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2189 N. Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Grades: K-12
| 256 students
Rank: #1313.
Soar High (Students On Academic Rise)
Alternative School
Math: 65-69% | Reading: 90-94%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3041 W. Ave. K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6300
Grades: 9-12
| 464 students
Rank: #1414.
Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
Math: 60% | Reading: 83%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
18605 Erwin St.
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Grades: 4-12
| 1,901 students
Rank: #1515.
Oak Park Independent
Alternative School
Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5801 Conifer St.
Oak Park, CA 91377
(818) 735-3260
Grades: K-12
| 240 students
Rank: #1616.
Env Of Research Tech And Earth Scis
Alternative School
Math: 73% | Reading: 79%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2626 Michael Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-3686
Grades: K-5
| 528 students
Rank: #1717.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
Math: 71% | Reading: 76%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Grades: K-12
| 716 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Early College High School
Alternative School
Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2990 Mesa Verde Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-7990
Grades: 9-12
| 212 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Oceana High School
Alternative School
Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
401 Paloma Ave.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 550-7300
Grades: 9-12
| 573 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Fallbrook Homeschool Academy
Alternative School
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
300 Heald Ln.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 731-4220
Grades: K-8
| 149 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Grossmont Middle College High School
Alternative School
Math: 40-59%
Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7524
Grades: 11-12
| 66 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
International Polytechnic High School
Alternative School
Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3801 W. Temple Ave. Bldg. 128-
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 839-2320
Grades: 9-12
| 462 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Middle College High School
Alternative School
Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1530 W. 17th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 953-3900
Grades: 9-12
| 364 students
Rank: #2424.
Sierra View Elementary School
Alternative School
Math: 72% | Reading: 75%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1598 Hooker Oak Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Grades: K-5
| 450 students
Rank: #2525.
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
Math: 62% | Reading: 74%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5931 W. 18th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Grades: 6-12
| 1,463 students
Rank: #2626.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Grades: K-8
| 329 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
Alternative School
Math: 54% | Reading: 78%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1200 N. Cornwell St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 227-4400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,714 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Grades: K-8
| 333 students
Rank: #2929.
Vintage Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Math: 72% | Reading: 71%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
15848 Stare St.
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-8661
Grades: K-5
| 720 students
Rank: #3030.
Davis School For Independent Study
Alternative School
Math: <50%
Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
526 B St.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Grades: K-12
| 273 students
Rank: #3131.
Learning Post (Alternative)
Alternative School
Math: 50-54% | Reading: 85-89%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
21445 Centre Pointe Pkwy.
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 255-8338
Grades: 7-12
| 459 students
Rank: #3232.
Las Flores Home Education Independent Study Academy
Alternative School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10039 E. Palm St.
Bellflower, CA 90706
(562) 804-6565
Grades: K-12
| 386 students
Rank: #3333.
Carpe Diem High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: 60-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
199 Fair St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4796
Grades: 9-12
| 30 students
Rank: #34 - 3634. - 36.
Meraki High School
Alternative School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10700 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 971-5001
Grades: 9-12
| 90 students
Rank: #34 - 3634. - 36.
Mountain Valley Academy
Alternative School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1010 Ramona St.
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Grades: K-12
| 243 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 1,095 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked alternative public schools in California?
How many alternative public schools are located in California?
1,095 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 79% (majority Hispanic).

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