Independence High (Alternative)

Independence High (Alternative) is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Alhambra, California, with a relatively small student population of 88 students. The school stands out from its nearby counterparts in several key ways, including its racial makeup, academic performance, graduation and dropout rates, chronic absenteeism, and socioeconomic factors.

One of the most notable differences is the school's significantly higher Hispanic student population, at 71.59% in 2022-2023, compared to the nearby schools, which range from 25.76% to 56.02% Hispanic students. Academically, Independence High (Alternative) consistently underperforms the nearby schools and the state averages in standardized test scores, with only 46.43% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy, and just 22.22% proficient in Mathematics, compared to higher rates at San Gabriel High, Mark Keppel High, and Alhambra High. The school's graduation rates have also been fluctuating, ranging from 71.2% to 93.2%, while the nearby schools have consistently higher graduation rates, ranging from 94.2% to 97.5%.

Additionally, Independence High (Alternative) has had relatively high dropout rates, ranging from 3.4% to 21.9% over the past few years, compared to much lower rates at the nearby schools. The school also had a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 82.7% in 2018-2019, which has since dropped to 0.0%. Finally, Independence High (Alternative) serves a population with significant socioeconomic challenges, with a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 59.09% to 70.83%, higher than the nearby schools. These findings highlight the unique needs and challenges faced by the students at Independence High (Alternative), which may require targeted interventions and support to improve educational outcomes.