Summary:
The El Rancho Unified school district in Pico Rivera operates two high schools: the comprehensive El Rancho High and the alternative Ruben Salazar Continuation, both serving grades 9-12 with a focus on supporting a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population.
El Rancho High is the district's standout performer, boasting a 96% graduation rate and particularly strong scores in English Language Arts, where it exceeds both district and state averages. It also maintains a relatively low rate of chronic absenteeism. In contrast, Ruben Salazar Continuation serves a much smaller population of at-risk students, which is reflected in significantly lower test scores and a very high chronic absenteeism rate, though it still achieves a graduation rate above the state average.
Key takeaways for parents include the distinct missions of the two schools, with El Rancho High demonstrating strong overall academic outcomes and Ruben Salazar providing an essential alternative pathway. The district faces a shared challenge in mathematics proficiency across both schools. While El Rancho High's performance ranks above the district average, the higher per-student funding and smaller class sizes at Ruben Salazar highlight the intensive resources required to address the significant barriers to success faced by its students.
Thank you for your feedback!