High Schools in Barstow Unified

Barstow Unified School District serves high school students through three very different schools: a large traditional high school, a smaller continuation school for at-risk students, and a tiny alternative school, all operating in a district ranked in the bottom 5% statewide.

Barstow High is the district's standout performer, with a 93.3% graduation rate that beats state averages and the strongest academic results, though its proficiency in math and science still lags behind California averages. In contrast, Central High (Continuation) faces severe challenges, with a 50% graduation rate and very low academic proficiency despite higher per-student spending and smaller classes. The BUSD School of Opportunity serves a very small population with limited available performance data.

A critical issue across all Barstow Unified high schools is chronic absenteeism, with rates between 56% and 86%—far above the 19.4% state average. This likely contributes to the academic struggles seen district-wide. While Barstow High shows that strong graduation outcomes are possible here, the wide gap between spending and results at the continuation school suggests the district needs to re-examine how it supports its most vulnerable students.