Pioneer High School is a highly rated public high school located in the Almaden Valley neighborhood of San Jose, California. It is one of six high schools in the San Jose Unified School District, and is a science magnet school with an interdisciplinary focus on community service and service learning.
Serving 1,469 students in grades 9-12, Pioneer High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 44% (which is higher than the California state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 64% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,469 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 63%
- Graduation Rate: ≥99% (Top 1% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 44% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 64% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 28% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Pioneer High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Diversity
School Overview
Pioneer High School's student population of 1,469 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 67 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,469 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
67 teachers
Year Founded
1960
School Calendar
School Rankings
Pioneer High School ranks within the top 30% of all 9,602 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Pioneer High School is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2117 out of 9602 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
14%
12%
Hispanic
40%
56%
Black
2%
5%
White
37%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥99%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
24%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Mustangs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pioneer High School's ranking?
Pioneer High School is ranked #2117 out of 9,602 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in California.
What schools are Pioneer High School often compared to?
Pioneer High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Gunderson High School, Santa Clara High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CA state average), while 64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Pioneer High School?
The graduation rate of Pioneer High School is 99%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Pioneer High School?
1,469 students attend Pioneer High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
40% of Pioneer High School students are Hispanic, 37% of students are White, 14% of students are Asian, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Pioneer High School?
Pioneer High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Pioneer High School offer ?
Pioneer High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Pioneer High School part of?
Pioneer High School is part of San Jose Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Pioneer High School located?
Pioneer High School is located in the South San Jose neighborhood of San Jose, CA. There are 19 other public schools located in South San Jose.
School Reviews
Review Pioneer High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
