High Schools in Alternatives in Action District

The Alternatives in Action District in Oakland, California, contains a single, small high school, Alternatives in Action, which serves 106 students in grades 9-12.

This school serves a high-needs population, with nearly 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and it operates with a clear alternative education focus. While its standardized test scores in English, math, and science are significantly below state averages, the school shows notable strengths in student engagement, maintaining a dropout rate lower than the state average and a chronic absenteeism rate that is also slightly better. This suggests a successful focus on keeping at-risk students in the educational system, even as academic proficiency remains a challenge.

With per-student spending well above the national average, the school invests considerable resources into its small learning environment. For parents, Alternatives in Action represents a specific educational approach, prioritizing support and retention for students who may struggle in traditional settings, which is reflected more in its engagement metrics than in its test scores or graduation rate, which trails the state average.