High Schools in Bear Valley Unified

The Bear Valley Unified school district operates two high schools for grades 9-12: the comprehensive Big Bear High and the smaller, alternative Chautauqua High (Continuation), serving distinct student needs within the community.

Big Bear High is the district's main high school, showing strengths in English Language Arts where its student proficiency exceeds state averages, and it maintains an above-average graduation rate of 90.3%. In contrast, Chautauqua High (Continuation) serves a specialized at-risk population, reflected in very high chronic absenteeism and minimal standardized test proficiency, though it still achieves an 87.5% graduation rate through alternative pathways.

Key takeaways for parents include a notable district-wide challenge in mathematics performance, with both schools below the state average. There is also a significant disparity in resources, as the larger comprehensive school receives more funding per student and has a much lower student-teacher ratio than the continuation school. Overall, Big Bear High demonstrates positive academic momentum, while Chautauqua High (Continuation) focuses on supporting graduation for students who have struggled in traditional settings.