Top 10 Best California Alternative Public Schools (2023)

For the 2023 school year, there are 1025 alternative public schools serving 137,422 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public schools in California are Downtown Business High School, Technology High School and California Preparatory Academy. 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 41% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the California public school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best California Alternative Public Schools (2023)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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
| 1,043 students
Rank: #22.
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
| 339 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
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
| 257 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
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
| 170 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
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
| 476 students
Rank: #66.
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
| 2,097 students
Rank: #77.
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
| 288 students
Rank: #88.
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
| n/a students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
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
| 214 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
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
| 596 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
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
| 472 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
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
| 368 students
Rank: #1313.
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
| 1,635 students
Rank: #1414.
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
| 1,752 students
Rank: #1515.
Carpe Diem High (Continuation)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: 60-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
199 Fair St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4796
Grades: 9-12
| 32 students
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
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
| 88 students
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
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
| 247 students
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Occs:chep/pchs
Alternative School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
14262 Franklin Ave. Ste. 100
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 245-6500
Grades: K-12
| 560 students
Rank: #1919.
L.a. County High School For The Arts
Alternative School
Math: 40-49% | Reading: ≥90%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5151 State Univ Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-2550
Grades: 9-12
| 551 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Mission Early College High School
Alternative School
Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3000 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 855-5532
Grades: 10-12
| 116 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Oxnard Middle College High School
Alternative School
Math: 40-49% | Reading: 80-89%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4000 S. Rose Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93033
(805) 278-5521
Grades: 9-12
| 119 students
Rank: #2222.
Mission Vista High School
Alternative School
Math: 48% | Reading: 80%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1306 Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,660 students
Rank: #2323.
Freedom Home
Alternative School
Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
16362 Paula Rd.
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3590
Grades: K-12
| 114 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
El Camino High School
Alternative School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
61 Day Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 289-7955
Grades: 9-12
| 298 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Vineyard Alternative
Alternative School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1401 Almond Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 606-4722
Grades: 1-12
| 94 students
Rank: #2626.
Orthopaedic Hospital Elementary School
Alternative School
Math: 40-44% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
300 W. 23rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 765-2088
Grades: 9-12
| 794 students
Rank: #27 - 2927. - 29.
Academy Of The Redwoods
Alternative School
Math: 30-39% | Reading: 80-89%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7351 Tompkins Hill Rd.
Fortuna, CA 95540
(707) 476-4203
Grades: 9-12
| 180 students
Rank: #27 - 2927. - 29.
Buena Vista Virtual Academy
Alternative School
Math: 30-39% | Reading: 80-89%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4999 Casa Loma Ave.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 986-7026
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #27 - 2927. - 29.
Public Safety Academy
Alternative School
Math: 30-39% | Reading: 80-89%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
230 Atlantic Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Grades: 5-12
| 748 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Acalanes Center For Independent Study
Alternative School
Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1963 Tice Valley Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
(925) 280-3945
Grades: 9-12
| 44 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Century Academy
Alternative School
Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1025 Old Farm Sch Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Grades: 6-12
| 260 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
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
Grades: K-12
| 76 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Santee Alternative
Alternative School
Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10250 El Nopal
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-2490
Grades: K-8
| 26 students
Rank: #34 - 4834. - 48.
Alta Vista High School
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1325 Bryant Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 691-2433
Grades: 9-12
| 71 students
Rank: #34 - 4834. - 48.
Atlas Learning Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
870 J St.
Lincoln, CA 95648
(916) 409-2404
Grades: K-12
| 33 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 1,025 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked alternative public schools in California?
The top ranked alternative public schools in California include Downtown Business High School, Technology High School and California Preparatory Academy.
How many alternative public schools are located in California?
1,025 alternative public schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public schools minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the California public schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

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