Approximately 53% of public high school students in California are eligible for free lunch (2026-27).
The public high schools with the highest eligible for free lunch are listed below (where sufficient data available).
The public high school with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in California is Blue Heron, Cds Bishop High School, and Albert Einstein Continuation, among others each with 100% of students eligible.
Eligible for Free Lunch Range: 100%
100%
Avg. Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Free Lunch Eligibility Trends
| Year | California (CA) Average | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 54% | 50% |
| 2024 | 54% | 46% |
| 2023 | 51% | 48% |
| 2022 | 51% | 46% |
| 2021 | 53% | 47% |
| 2020 | 52% | 47% |
| 2019 | 52% | 47% |
| 2018 | 49% | 42% |
| 2017 | 49% | 42% |
| 2016 | 50% | 43% |
| 2015 | 50% | 44% |
| 2014 | 49% | 45% |
| 2013 | 48% | 44% |
| 2011 | 46% | 41% |
| 2010 | 46% | 38% |
| 2009 | 43% | 36% |
| 2008 | 41% | 34% |
| 2007 | 40% | 34% |
| 2006 | 40% | 33% |
| 2005 | 40% | 29% |
| 2004 | 40% | 29% |
| 2003 | 39% | 28% |
| 2002 | 39% | 29% |
| 2001 | 39% | 27% |
| 2000 | 40% | 27% |
| 1999 | 40% | 27% |
| 1998 | 47% | 29% |
| 1997 | 47% | 29% |
| 1996 | 46% | 25% |
| 1995 | 45% | 25% |
| 1994 | 43% | 25% |
Public High Schools Eligible For Free Lunch in California (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Eligible for Free Lunch
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Albert Einstein Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20%)
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
15938 Tupper St.
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-4367
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-4367
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Blue Heron
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-11
15850-a Dam Road Ext.
Lower Lake, CA 95457
(707) 994-1033
Lower Lake, CA 95457
(707) 994-1033
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Bridges Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50%)
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-12
1505 South Sunflower Ave.
Glendora, CA 91740
(626) 914-3961
Glendora, CA 91740
(626) 914-3961
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Cds Bishop High School
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
301 North Fowler
Bishop, CA 93514
(760) 872-3680
Bishop, CA 93514
(760) 872-3680
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Centerville High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
10401 Main St.
Potter Valley, CA 95469
(707) 743-1142
Potter Valley, CA 95469
(707) 743-1142
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
City Heights Preparatory Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-12
4260 54th St.
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 795-3137
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 795-3137
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Coastal Buttes Academy
Special Education School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: K-12
499 Margurite St. Ste. A
Williams, CA 95987
(530) 473-1350
Williams, CA 95987
(530) 473-1350
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Compton Community Day High School
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
2300 West Caldwell St.
Compton, CA 90220
(310) 898-6154
Compton, CA 90220
(310) 898-6154
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
10326 Fiske Rd., Greeley Hill
Coulterville, CA 96311
(209) 878-3028
Coulterville, CA 96311
(209) 878-3028
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
County Community
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: K-12
5171 Silva Rd.
Mariposa, CA 95338
(209) 742-0290
Mariposa, CA 95338
(209) 742-0290
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Cutler-orosi Community Day
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-12
12724 Ave. 392
Cutler, CA 93615
(559) 528-4703
Cutler, CA 93615
(559) 528-4703
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Dan Jacobs
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-12
2880 East Gibson Rd.
Woodland, CA 95776
(530) 406-5300
Woodland, CA 95776
(530) 406-5300
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-12
Old State Highway 127
Shoshone, CA 92384
(760) 852-4303
Shoshone, CA 92384
(760) 852-4303
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Earle Jamieson Educational Options
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-12
112 Nevada City Hwy.
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 272-5464
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 272-5464
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Educational Training Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1600 Washington St.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2092
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2092
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Ellington (Duke) High (continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1541 West 110th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90047
(323) 418-4130
Los Angeles, CA 90047
(323) 418-4130
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Foothill Community Day
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-12
890 Main St.
Newman, CA 95360
(209) 862-2309
Newman, CA 95360
(209) 862-2309
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Fowler Academy Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: K-12
975 East Adams Ave.
Fowler, CA 93625
(559) 834-6098
Fowler, CA 93625
(559) 834-6098
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
High Desert Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-10
802 North East St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Horizon High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
3086 West Mt. Whitney Ave.
Riverdale, CA 93656
(559) 867-3562
Riverdale, CA 93656
(559) 867-3562
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
J. C. Montgomery
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-12
690 East Dr.
Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 584-1441
Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 584-1441
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Jill Kinmont Boothe
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-12
166 Grandview Dr.
Bishop, CA 93514
(760) 873-3262
Bishop, CA 93514
(760) 873-3262
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Lassen Community Day
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
1324 Cornell St.
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 251-1197
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 251-1197
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Leffingwell High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
2820 Santa Rosa Creek Rd.
Cambria, CA 93428
(805) 927-7148
Cambria, CA 93428
(805) 927-7148
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Lighthouse Community Day
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
250 South Sanderson Way
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 961-2889
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 961-2889
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Macgregor High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 10-12
603 Key Route Blvd.
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 559-6570
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 559-6570
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Marin County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 7-12
16 Jeannette Prandi Way
San Rafael, CA 94913
(415) 491-0581
San Rafael, CA 94913
(415) 491-0581
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
29289 Chambers Rd.
Petrolia, CA 95558
(707) 629-3250
Petrolia, CA 95558
(707) 629-3250
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Mendota Continuation High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
211 Smoot Ave.
Mendota, CA 93640
(559) 655-4412
Mendota, CA 93640
(559) 655-4412
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Metropolitan Continuation
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
727 South Wilson St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 623-4272
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 623-4272
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Mission Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-12
1128 South Dairy Ave.
Corcoran, CA 93212
(559) 992-8885
Corcoran, CA 93212
(559) 992-8885
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Monarch
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: K-12
1625 Newton Ave.
San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 652-4100
San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 652-4100
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Community Day
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 9-12
200 Coe Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3822
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3822
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Mt. Burney Special Education Center
Special Education School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: K-12
37577 Mountain View Rd.
Burney, CA 96013
(530) 335-3852
Burney, CA 96013
(530) 335-3852
Rank: #1 - 531. - 53.
Oakendell Community
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 6-12
3585 Hawver Rd.
San Andreas, CA 95249
(209) 754-1961
San Andreas, CA 95249
(209) 754-1961
Show 100 more public schools in CA (out of 2,646 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California average of public high schools students eligible for free lunch?
The California average of public high schools students eligible for free lunch is 53%% for 2026-27.
What are the public high schools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in California?
The best top-ranked public high schools in California include Albert Einstein Continuation, Blue Heron and Bridges Community Day.
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