For the 2025 school year, there are 940 alternative public high schools serving 131,425 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public high schools in California are Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Technology High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 51% statewide average).
California alternative public high school have a Graduation Rate of 69%, which is less than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public High 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: 95% | 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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
Technology High School
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
550 Bonnie Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 792-4825
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 792-4825
Grades: 9-12
| 338 students
Rank: #44.
Alameda Science And Technology Institute
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | 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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1260 West Esperanza St.
San Bernardino, CA 92410
(909) 888-4041
San Bernardino, CA 92410
(909) 888-4041
Grades: 9-12
| 258 students
Rank: #77.
Soar High (Students On Academic Rise)
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3041 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6509
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6509
Grades: 9-12
| 646 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Early College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%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: #8 - 98. - 9.
William & Marian Ghidotti High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%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: #1010.
John F. Kennedy High School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1951 Third St.
Norco, CA 92860
(951) 738-2200
Norco, CA 92860
(951) 738-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 689 students
Rank: #1111.
Mt. Sac Early College Academy At West Covina
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%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: #1212.
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: #1313.
Mission Vista High School
Alternative School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1306 Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,662 students
Rank: #1414.
Asawa (Ruth) Sf Sch Of The Arts A Public School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | 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: #1515.
International Polytechnic High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%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: #1616.
Oxnard Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | 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
Rank: #1717.
Parkview
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2189 North Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Grades: K-12
| 176 students
Rank: #1818.
Public Safety Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
230 Atlantic Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Grades: 5-12
| 739 students
Rank: #1919.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Grades: K-12
| 111 students
Rank: #2020.
Meraki High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10700 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 971-5001
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 971-5001
Grades: 8-12
| 82 students
Rank: #2121.
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: #2222.
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | 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: #2323.
El Camino High School
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
61 Day Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 289-7955
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 289-7955
Grades: 9-12
| 218 students
Rank: #2424.
Grossmont Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%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: #2525.
Temple City Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | 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: #2626.
Downtown Business High School
Alternative School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%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: #2727.
Davis School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
526 B St.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Grades: K-12
| 145 students
Rank: #2828.
Mission Early College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | 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: #2929.
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%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: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Grades: K-12
| 54 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
18605 Erwin St.
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Grades: 4-12
| 1,784 students
Rank: #3232.
Mountain Valley Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1010 Ramona St.
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Grades: K-12
| 195 students
Rank: #3333.
Boyle Heights Sci Tech Engr And Math Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2550 East 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 268-1031
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 268-1031
Grades: 9-12
| 131 students
Rank: #3434.
Venture (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10540 Albion Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
Grades: K-12
| 83 students
Rank: #3535.
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
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 940 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public high schools in California?
The top ranked alternative public high schools in California include Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Technology High School.
How many alternative public high schools are located in California?
940 alternative public high schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public high schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
