Summary:
The Chico Unified School District operates five high schools serving grades 9-12 in the Chico, California area, with a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students across two comprehensive high schools and three alternative education programs.
For families considering the comprehensive high schools, both Pleasant Valley High and Chico High are strong performers that exceed state averages. Pleasant Valley High holds the highest state ranking and strongest math scores in the district, while Chico High boasts the highest graduation rate and excels particularly in science proficiency. Both schools maintain relatively low chronic absenteeism rates compared to the district's alternative options.
The district also includes three alternative schools—Fair View High (Continuation), Center for Alternative Learning, and Academy for Change—which serve at-risk populations with much smaller class sizes and significantly higher per-student funding, but face considerable challenges with attendance and academic outcomes compared to the comprehensive schools. Overall, Chico Unified demonstrates a clear distinction in student experience and performance between its traditional high schools and its alternative education programs.
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