For the 2025 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 26% (versus the California public elementary school average of 35%), 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 Public Elementary 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: 96% | 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: #22.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
17020 Labrador St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 349-4801
Grades: 1-5
| 682 students
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
Sierra View Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1598 Hooker Oak Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 891-3117
Grades: K-5
| 469 students
Rank: #55.
Irvine Unified School District Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4782 Karen Ann Ln., Rm. 7
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7423
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7423
Grades: K-6
| 101 students
Rank: #66.
Venture (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
10540 Albion Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
San Ramon, CA 94582
(925) 479-1200
Grades: K-12
| 83 students
Rank: #77.
Parkview
Alternative School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2189 North Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Grades: K-12
| 176 students
Rank: #88.
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%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: #99.
Env Academy Of Research Tech And Earth Scis
Alternative School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2626 Michael Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-3686
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-3686
Grades: K-5
| 541 students
Rank: #1010.
Public Safety Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
230 Atlantic Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-3933
Grades: 5-12
| 739 students
Rank: #1111.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3557 Monroe St.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5299
Grades: K-12
| 54 students
Rank: #1212.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Grades: K-12
| 111 students
Rank: #1313.
Vintage Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
15848 Stare St.
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-8661
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 892-8661
Grades: K-5
| 755 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Capistrano Home/virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
32972 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-9374
Grades: K-8
| 91 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2525 Fifth St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-2640
Grades: K-8
| 219 students
Rank: #1616.
Temple City Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 60% | 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: #1717.
Mountain Valley Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | 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: #1818.
Oak Park Independent
Alternative School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5801 Conifer St.
Oak Park, CA 91377
(818) 735-3260
Oak Park, CA 91377
(818) 735-3260
Grades: K-12
| 193 students
Rank: #1919.
Rancho Learning Center (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
150 South Third Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 821-6629
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 821-6629
Grades: K-12
| 72 students
Rank: #2020.
Lomita Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2211 247th St.
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 784-6700
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 784-6700
Grades: K-5
| 852 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Davis School For Independent Study
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | 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: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Indigo
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
530 Gettysburg Dr.
San Jose, CA 95123
(408) 225-1881
San Jose, CA 95123
(408) 225-1881
Grades: K-8
| 272 students
Rank: #2323.
Tustin Connect
Alternative School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1151 San Juan St.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 430-2052
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 430-2052
Grades: K-12
| 243 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Carpinteria Family
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1480 Linden Ave.
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4141
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-4141
Grades: K-5
| 56 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Santee Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10250 El Nopal
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-2490
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-2490
Grades: K-8
| 14 students
Rank: #2626.
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5931 West 18th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Grades: 6-12
| 1,387 students
Rank: #2727.
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
Rank: #2828.
Mariposa School Of Global Education
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6050 North Calmfield Ave.
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 707-7144
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 707-7144
Grades: K-8
| 372 students
Rank: #2929.
Century Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
33 Greta St.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Grades: K-12
| 230 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Berryessa Union Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1376 Piedmont Rd.
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 923-1830
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 923-1830
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Buena Vista Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4999 Casa Loma Ave.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 986-7026
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 986-7026
Grades: K-12
| 144 students
Rank: #3232.
Sherman Oaks Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18605 Erwin St.
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 758-5600
Grades: 4-12
| 1,784 students
Rank: #3333.
Svusd Virtual Academy (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
25952 Cordillera Dr.
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 830-3400
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 830-3400
Grades: K-12
| 161 students
Rank: #3434.
Orion Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
555 Avenue Del Ora
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 482-2412
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 482-2412
Grades: K-5
| 461 students
Rank: #35 - 4135. - 41.
Gold Ridge Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12784 Justice Center Dr.
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 536-2000
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 536-2000
Grades: 1-12
| 10 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 394 total schools)
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<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>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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