For the 2025 school year, there are 1084 alternative public schools serving 156,442 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public schools in California are Science Academy Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and William & Marian Ghidotti High 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 22% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Schools in California (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Science Academy Stem Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Grades: 6-12
| 513 students
Rank: #22.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Grades: 1-5
| 682 students
Rank: #33.
William & Marian Ghidotti High School
Alternative School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
250 Sierra College Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-5270
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-5270
Grades: 9-12
| 154 students
Rank: #44.
Mt. Everest Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
Grades: K-12
| 205 students
Rank: #55.
Early College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2990 Mesa Verde Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-7990
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 424-7990
Grades: 9-12
| 200 students
Rank: #66.
Academy Of The Redwoods
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7351 Tompkins Hill Rd.
Fortuna, CA 95540
(707) 476-4203
Fortuna, CA 95540
(707) 476-4203
Grades: 9-12
| 165 students
Rank: #77.
Sierra View Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1598 Hooker Oak Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Grades: K-5
| 469 students
Rank: #88.
Alameda Science And Technology Institute
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial P
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-4021
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-4021
Grades: 9-12
| 167 students
Rank: #99.
John F. Kennedy High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1951 Third St.
Norco, CA 92860
(951) 738-2200
Norco, CA 92860
(951) 738-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 689 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Asawa (Ruth) Sf Sch Of The Arts A Public School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
555 Portola Dr.
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 695-5700
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 695-5700
Grades: 9-12
| 680 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Technology High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
550 Bonnie Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 792-4825
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 792-4825
Grades: 9-12
| 338 students
Rank: #1212.
California Preparatory Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-5317
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-5317
Grades: 9-12
| 225 students
Rank: #1313.
Grossmont Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7524
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7524
Grades: 11-12
| 51 students
Rank: #1414.
Irvine Unified School District Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4782 Karen Ann Ln., Rm. 7
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7423
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7423
Grades: K-6
| 101 students
Rank: #1515.
Venture (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
10540 Albion Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
Grades: K-12
| 83 students
Rank: #1616.
Downtown Business High School
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1200 West Colton St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 481-0371
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 481-0371
Grades: 9-12
| 857 students
Rank: #1717.
Parkview
Alternative School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2189 North Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Grades: K-12
| 176 students
Rank: #1818.
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
38 Crest Rd. West
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 378-9966
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 378-9966
Grades: K-12
| 57 students
Rank: #1919.
Env Academy Of Research Tech And Earth Scis
Alternative School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2626 Michael Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-3686
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-3686
Grades: K-5
| 541 students
Rank: #2020.
Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1530 West 17th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 953-3900
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 953-3900
Grades: 9-12
| 407 students
Rank: #2121.
Public Safety Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
230 Atlantic Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Grades: 5-12
| 739 students
Rank: #2222.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Grades: K-12
| 54 students
Rank: #2323.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Grades: K-12
| 111 students
Rank: #2424.
International Polytechnic High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3851 West Temple Ave. Bldg. 12
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 839-2320
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 839-2320
Grades: 9-12
| 498 students
Rank: #2525.
Vintage Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
15848 Stare St.
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-8661
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-8661
Grades: K-5
| 755 students
Rank: #2626.
Mission Vista High School
Alternative School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1306 Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,662 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Grades: K-8
| 91 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Grades: K-8
| 219 students
Rank: #2929.
Soar High (Students On Academic Rise)
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3041 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6509
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6509
Grades: 9-12
| 646 students
Rank: #3030.
Design Science Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1101 E University Ave
Fresno, CA 93741
(559) 489-2270
Fresno, CA 93741
(559) 489-2270
Grades: 9-12
| 242 students
Rank: #3131.
Temple City Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9501 Lemon Ave.
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 548-5243
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 548-5243
Grades: K-12
| 27 students
Rank: #3232.
Mt. Sac Early College Academy At West Covina
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2226 East Rio Verde Dr.
West Covina, CA 91791
(626) 332-7217
West Covina, CA 91791
(626) 332-7217
Grades: 9-12
| 263 students
Rank: #3333.
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1200 North Cornwell St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 227-4400
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 227-4400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,562 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Mission Early College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3000 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 855-5532
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 855-5532
Grades: 9-12
| 189 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Oxnard Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4000 South Rose Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93033
(805) 278-5521
Oxnard, CA 93033
(805) 278-5521
Grades: 9-12
| 195 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 1,084 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 Science Academy Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and William & Marian Ghidotti High School.
How many alternative public schools are located in California?
1,084 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 80% (majority Hispanic).
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