For the 2025 school year, there are 503 alternative public middle schools serving 74,594 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public middle schools in California are Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Venture (Alternative). 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 23% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Middle 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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
Cambridge Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
830 South Dale St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 999-7757
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 999-7757
Grades: 7-12
| 132 students
Rank: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #24 - 2524. - 25.
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: #24 - 2524. - 25.
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: #2626.
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: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Learning Post Academy (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
24825 North Newhall Ave.
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 255-8338
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 255-8338
Grades: 7-12
| 363 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
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: #29 - 3929. - 39.
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
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Harry P B Carden
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1023 14th St.
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 741-6409
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 741-6409
Grades: K-12
| 34 students
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Johanna Boss High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7650 S. Newcastle Rd.
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 944-6155
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 944-6155
Grades: 8-12
| 28 students
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
John F. Cruikshank Junior
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2707 Transworld Dr.
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-4847
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-4847
Grades: K-12
| 49 students
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Placer County Community Schools
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
360 Nevada St.
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Grades: K-12
| 5 students
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Redding Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5885 East Bonnyview Rd.
Redding, CA 96099
(530) 225-0406
Redding, CA 96099
(530) 225-0406
Grades: 1-8
| 11 students
Rank: #29 - 3929. - 39.
Rockey Glenn Camp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1900 North Sycamore Canyon Rd.
Downey, CA 90242
(909) 599-8435
Downey, CA 90242
(909) 599-8435
Grades: 7-12
| 32 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 503 total schools)
Loading...
<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions麻豆果冻传媒>
What are the top ranked alternative public middle schools in California?
The top ranked alternative public middle schools in California include Science Academy Stem Magnet, Mt. Everest Academy and Venture (Alternative).
How many alternative public middle schools are located in California?
503 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 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
麻豆果冻传媒 Articles

What are the Benefits of Magnet Schools?
Kate Barrington has compiled this guide to magnet schools, explaining their unique educational approach, core principles, benefits, and potential considerations for parents seeking alternatives within the public school system.

Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
This comprehensive article explores the pros and cons of school uniforms in public schools. It discusses their impact on safety, learning environment, self-expression, and cost-effectiveness. The piece presents statistics, expert opinions, and arguments from both proponents and opponents, helping parents make informed decisions about uniform policies.

Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.