Central Unified

The Central Unified school district in Fresno operates 24 schools serving grades K-12, where most students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and the district performs slightly below state averages in core academic subjects.

There are significant differences in performance between schools within the district. Top performers include River Bluff Elementary and Rio Vista Middle, which have the highest test scores, while schools like Roosevelt Elementary and Glacier Point Middle struggle academically. The district's high schools, particularly Justin Garza High, excel at graduating students, with rates exceeding the state average, but math proficiency is a widespread challenge across all grade levels.

Notably, the alternative Central Online Home school shows strong results, whereas other alternative programs like Pershing Continuation High face severe difficulties. Middle schools appear to be a critical area for improvement, as they generally have lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism. Parents should note that while the district successfully supports students through to graduation, academic achievement, especially in mathematics, varies greatly from school to school.