For the 2024-25 school year, there are 404 alternative public elementary schools serving 54,735 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 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Elementary Schools in California (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Science Academy Stem Magnet
Alternative 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
| n/a students
Rank: #22.
Balboa Gifted/high Ability Magnet Elementary School
Alternative 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
| n/a 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
| 213 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
| 456 students
Rank: #55.
Irvine Unified School District Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1 Liberty
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-7423
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-7423
Grades: K-6
| 188 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
| 128 students
Rank: #77.
Parkview
Alternative School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2189 N. Kraemer Blvd.
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 986-7050
Grades: K-12
| 184 students
Rank: #88.
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
38 Crest Rd. W.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 378-9966
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 378-9966
Grades: K-12
| 53 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
| 539 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
| 746 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
| 84 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
| 182 students
Rank: #1313.
Vintage Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative 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
| n/a 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
| 107 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
| 247 students
Rank: #1616.
Temple City Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9700 Las Tunas Dr.
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 548-5243
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 548-5243
Grades: K-12
| 65 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
| 169 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
| 183 students
Rank: #1919.
Rancho Learning Center (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
150 S. Third Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 821-6629
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 821-6629
Grades: K-12
| 69 students
Rank: #2020.
Lomita Math/science/technology Magnet
Alternative 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
| n/a 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
| 168 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
| 269 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
| 303 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
| 65 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
| 19 students
Rank: #2626.
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies
Alternative School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5931 W. 18th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 549-5900
Grades: 6-12
| n/a 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 N. Calmfield Ave.
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 707-7144
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 707-7144
Grades: K-8
| 342 students
Rank: #2929.
Century Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1025 Old Farm Sch Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 496-0286
Grades: K-12
| 260 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
| 201 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
| n/a 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
| 202 students
Rank: #3434.
Briones (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
925 Susana St.
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 335-5800
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 335-5800
Grades: K-12
| 59 students
Rank: #3535.
Orion Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
555 Ave. Del Ora
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 482-2412
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 482-2412
Grades: K-5
| 419 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in California (out of 404 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?
404 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 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
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