Top 10 Best California Alternative Public Middle Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 493 alternative public middle schools serving 114,883 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public middle schools in California are Science Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Horizons School: Independent Study. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 77% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Middle Schools in California (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.
Mt. Everest Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
Grades: K-12
| 227 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
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: #3 - 43. - 4.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Fallbrook Homeschool Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
300 Heald Ln.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 731-4220
Grades: K-8
| 149 students
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Grades: K-8
| 329 students
Rank: #1111.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Grades: K-8
| 333 students
Rank: #1212.
Davis School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
526 B St.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Grades: K-12
| 273 students
Rank: #1313.
Learning Post (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
21445 Centre Pointe Pkwy.
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 255-8338
Grades: 7-12
| 459 students
Rank: #1414.
Las Flores Home Education Independent Study Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10039 E. Palm St.
Bellflower, CA 90706
(562) 804-6565
Grades: K-12
| 386 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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
| 491 students
Rank: #1717.
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
| 76 students
Rank: #1818.
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: K-12
| 195 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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
| 441 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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
| 735 students
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
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: K-12
| 439 students
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
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
| n/a students
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
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
| 70 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
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
| 85 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Burbank Unified Independent Learning (Buila)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3715 Allan Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 558-5353
Grades: 7-12
| 187 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Central Online Home
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2280 N. Valentine Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
(559) 276-3140
Grades: K-12
| 577 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Cis Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2925 E. Siera Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 396-5883
Grades: 2-12
| 405 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Ousd Home School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
250 S. Yorba St.
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 628-5479
Grades: K-12
| 107 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Rocklin Alternative Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3250 Victory Dr.
Rocklin, CA 95765
(916) 632-3195
Grades: K-12
| 97 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Vallecito Independent Study (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4545 Moran Rd.
Avery, CA 95224
(209) 795-8504
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Valley Oaks High (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
540 Vallejo St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4794
Grades: 7-12
| 58 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Vista Visions Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1575 Bonair Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 724-4785
Grades: K-12
| 407 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Wilson Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1840 Benton St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 423-3600
Grades: 1-12
| 368 students
Rank: #24 - 3424. - 34.
Yosemite Falls Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
50200 Rd. 427
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 683-8801
Grades: K-12
| 101 students
Rank: #3535.
Mariposa School Of Global Education
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6050 N. Calmfield Ave.
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 707-7144
Grades: K-8
| 337 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 493 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked alternative public middle schools in California?
The top ranked alternative public middle schools in California include Science Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Horizons School: Independent Study.
How many alternative public middle schools are located in California?
493 alternative public middle schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public middle schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 77% (majority Hispanic).

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