For the 2024 school year, there are 375 alternative public elementary schools serving 114,007 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public elementary schools in California are Science Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and Mt. Everest Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the California public elementary school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Elementary Schools in California (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Science Stem Magnet
Alternative School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
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
| 443 students
Rank: #22.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 88% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Grades: 1-5
| 672 students
Rank: #33.
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
| 227 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Horizons School: Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Santa Barbara Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 682-8000
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 682-8000
Grades: K-12
| 531 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Parkview
Alternative School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2189 N. Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Grades: K-12
| 256 students
Rank: #66.
Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
18605 Erwin St.
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Grades: 4-12
| 1,901 students
Rank: #77.
Oak Park Independent
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5801 Conifer St.
Oak Park, CA 91377
(818) 735-3260
Oak Park, CA 91377
(818) 735-3260
Grades: K-12
| 240 students
Rank: #88.
Env Of Research Tech And Earth Scis
Alternative School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 79% )
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
| 528 students
Rank: #99.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Grades: K-12
| 716 students
Rank: #1010.
Fallbrook Homeschool Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
300 Heald Ln.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 731-4220
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 731-4220
Grades: K-8
| 149 students
Rank: #1111.
Sierra View Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 75% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1598 Hooker Oak Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Grades: K-5
| 450 students
Rank: #1212.
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5931 W. 18th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Grades: 6-12
| 1,463 students
Rank: #1313.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Grades: K-8
| 329 students
Rank: #1414.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Grades: K-8
| 333 students
Rank: #1515.
Vintage Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71% )
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
| 720 students
Rank: #1616.
Davis School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
526 B St.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Grades: K-12
| 273 students
Rank: #1717.
Las Flores Home Education Independent Study Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10039 E. Palm St.
Bellflower, CA 90706
(562) 804-6565
Bellflower, CA 90706
(562) 804-6565
Grades: K-12
| 386 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Mountain Valley Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1010 Ramona St.
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Grades: K-12
| 243 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Occs:chep/pchs
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
14262 Franklin Ave. Ste. 100
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 245-6500
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 245-6500
Grades: K-12
| 491 students
Rank: #2020.
Freedom Home
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
16362 Paula Rd.
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3590
Madera, CA 93636
(559) 645-3590
Grades: K-12
| 76 students
Rank: #2121.
Vineyard Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1401 Almond Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 606-4722
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 606-4722
Grades: K-12
| 195 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Buena Vista Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4999 Casa Loma Ave.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 986-7026
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 986-7026
Grades: K-12
| 441 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Public Safety Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
230 Atlantic Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Grades: 5-12
| 735 students
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Century Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1025 Old Farm Sch Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Grades: K-12
| 439 students
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Culver City Unified School District Iacademy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4601 Elenda St. Cp Annex
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 842-4200
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 842-4200
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Santee Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10250 El Nopal
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-2490
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-2490
Grades: K-8
| 70 students
Rank: #2727.
Lomita Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2211 247th St.
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 784-6700
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 784-6700
Grades: K-5
| 806 students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Atlas Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
870 J St.
Lincoln, CA 95648
(916) 409-2404
Lincoln, CA 95648
(916) 409-2404
Grades: K-12
| 85 students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Central Online Home
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2280 N. Valentine Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
(559) 276-3140
Fresno, CA 93722
(559) 276-3140
Grades: K-12
| 577 students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Cis Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2925 E. Siera Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 396-5883
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 396-5883
Grades: 2-12
| 405 students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Ousd Home School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
250 S. Yorba St.
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 628-5479
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 628-5479
Grades: K-12
| 107 students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Rocklin Alternative Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3250 Victory Dr.
Rocklin, CA 95765
(916) 632-3195
Rocklin, CA 95765
(916) 632-3195
Grades: K-12
| 97 students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Vallecito Independent Study (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4545 Moran Rd.
Avery, CA 95224
(209) 795-8504
Avery, CA 95224
(209) 795-8504
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Vista Visions Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1575 Bonair Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 724-4785
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 724-4785
Grades: K-12
| 407 students
Rank: #28 - 3628. - 36.
Wilson Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1840 Benton St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 423-3600
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 423-3600
Grades: 1-12
| 368 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 375 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public elementary schools in California?
The top ranked alternative public elementary schools in California include Science Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and Mt. Everest Academy.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in California?
375 alternative public elementary schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
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