For the 2025 school year, there are 18 alternative public charter schools serving 4,796 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public charter schools in California are Island Community Day, Pathways Charter Academy and Rite Of Passage. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the California public charter school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Charter Schools in California (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Island Community Day
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1776 Sixth Avenue Dr.
Kingsburg, CA 93631
(559) 897-1046
Kingsburg, CA 93631
(559) 897-1046
Grades: 4-8
| 3 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Pathways Charter Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1895 Lassen Blvd.
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 822-2480
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 822-2480
Grades: K-12
| 25 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Rite Of Passage
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10400 Fricot City Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Grades: 9-12
| 19 students
Rank: #44.
Charter Community School Home Study Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6767 Green Valley Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Grades: K-12
| 345 students
Rank: #55.
Placer County Pathways Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
360 Nevada St.
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Grades: K-12
| 295 students
Rank: #66.
Charter Alternative Program (Cap)
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6520 Oak Dell Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-6984
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-6984
Grades: K-8
| 245 students
Rank: #77.
Venture Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2829 Transworld Dr.
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-5940
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-5940
Grades: K-12
| 1,613 students
Rank: #88.
Golden Gate Community
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1111 Stoneman Ave.
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 427-3199
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 427-3199
Grades: 6-12
| 103 students
Rank: #99.
William Finch
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
607 East Tehama St.
Orland, CA 95963
(530) 865-1683
Orland, CA 95963
(530) 865-1683
Grades: K-12
| 138 students
Rank: #1010.
Pioneer Technical Center
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1665 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Grades: K-12
| 243 students
Rank: #1111.
Leadership Military Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
13730 Perris Blvd.
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
(951) 421-8450
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
(951) 421-8450
Grades: 9-12
| 129 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
California Heritage Youthbuild Academy Ii
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
8544 Airport Rd.
Redding, CA 96002
(530) 378-5254
Redding, CA 96002
(530) 378-5254
Grades: 9-12
| 108 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Madera County Independent Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1635 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Grades: K-12
| 62 students
Rank: #1414.
Cbk Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3939 13th St.
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-6461
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-6461
Grades: 9-12
| 601 students
Rank: n/an/a
Open Door Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 840-8199
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 840-8199
Grades: 9-12
| 46 students
Rank: n/an/a
Opportunity Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
313 West Winton Ave.
Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 670-7602
Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 670-7602
Grades: 10-12
| 157 students
Rank: n/an/a
Phoenix Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
1111 Las Gallinas Ave.
San Rafael, CA 94913
(415) 491-0581
San Rafael, CA 94913
(415) 491-0581
Grades: 9-12
| 10 students
Rank: n/an/a
Stanislaus Alternative Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
1325 H St.
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 238-8650
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 238-8650
Grades: 9-12
| 654 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public charter schools in California?
The top ranked alternative public charter schools in California include Island Community Day, Pathways Charter Academy and Rite Of Passage.
How many alternative public charter schools are located in California?
18 alternative public charter schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public charter schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
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