Summary:
Del Norte County Unified serves high school students through two distinct schools: Del Norte High, the district's main comprehensive high school, and the much smaller Sunset High, which operates in a county where the district overall ranks in the bottom quarter statewide.
Del Norte High is the stronger academic performer, with test scores in English and Science near the state average and a chronic absenteeism rate just above the state average. In contrast, Sunset High presents a complex picture, achieving a perfect 100% graduation rate with zero dropouts but alongside extremely low test scores and a chronic absenteeism rate affecting over 90% of its students, suggesting it serves as an alternative pathway for at-risk students.
Key takeaways for parents include a significant district-wide challenge with mathematics proficiency, a stark correlation between attendance and academic performance, and a notable funding disparity where Sunset High receives substantially more per student. Del Norte High shows positive momentum, having recently improved its statewide rating.
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