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ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School Review - Established 2003

Best California Alternative ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 394 alternative public elementary schools serving 73,101 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public elementary schools in California are Science Academy 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 27% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Alternative ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools in California (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Science Academy Stem Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5525 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 753-4470
Gr: 6-12 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #22.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Gr: 1-5 | 682 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: K-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #44.
Sierra View Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1598 Hooker Oak Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Gr: K-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #55.
Env Academy Of Research Tech And Earth Scis
Alternative School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2626 Michael Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-3686
Gr: K-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #66.
Irvine Unified School District Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4782 Karen Ann Ln., Rm. 7
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7423
Gr: K-6 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #77.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Gr: K-8 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Parkview
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2189 North Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Gr: K-12 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Gr: K-8 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1010.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Safety Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
230 Atlantic Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Gr: 5-12 | 739 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1111.
Vintage Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
15848 Stare St.
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-8661
Gr: K-5 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1212.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Gr: K-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1313.
Lomita Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2211 247th St.
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 784-6700
Gr: K-5 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1414.
Carpinteria Family
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1480 Linden Ave.
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4141
Gr: K-5 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1515.
Temple City Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9501 Lemon Ave.
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 548-5243
Gr: K-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1616.
Davis School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
526 B St.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5333
Gr: K-12 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1717.
Indigo
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
530 Gettysburg Dr.
San Jose, CA 95123
(408) 225-1881
Gr: K-8 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1818.
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
38 Crest Rd. West
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 378-9966
Gr: K-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Gr: K-12 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
18605 Erwin St.
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Gr: 4-12 | 1,784 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2121.
Mountain Valley Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1010 Ramona St.
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Gr: K-12 | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2222.
Venture (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10540 Albion Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
Gr: K-12 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2323.
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
Gr: K-12
Rank: #2424.
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5931 West 18th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Gr: 6-12 | 1,387 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Berryessa Union Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1376 Piedmont Rd.
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 923-1830
Gr: K-8
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Santee Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10250 El Nopal
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-2490
Gr: K-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2727.
Mariposa School Of Global Education
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6050 North Calmfield Ave.
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 707-7144
Gr: K-8 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Century Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
33 Greta St.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Gr: K-12 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Tustin Connect
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1151 San Juan St.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 430-2052
Gr: K-12 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3030.
Oak Park Independent
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5801 Conifer St.
Oak Park, CA 91377
(818) 735-3260
Gr: K-12 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #31 - 3631. - 36.
Gold Ridge Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12784 Justice Center Dr.
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 536-2000
Gr: 1-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #31 - 3631. - 36.
Harry P B Carden
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1023 14th St.
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 741-6409
Gr: K-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #31 - 3631. - 36.
Placer County Community Schools
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
360 Nevada St.
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Gr: K-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #31 - 3631. - 36.
South Shores/csudh Visual And Performing Arts
Alternative School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2060 West 35th St.
San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 832-6596
Gr: K-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #31 - 3631. - 36.
Tehama Oaks High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1790 Walnut St.
Red Bluff, CA 96080
(530) 527-4052
Gr: K-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 394 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 Academy Stem Magnet, Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School and Mt. Everest Academy.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in California?
394 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 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

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