High Schools in Parlier Unified

The Parlier Unified School District in California's Central Valley operates two high schools serving grades 7-12: the traditional Parlier High and the smaller alternative San Joaquin Valley High, both serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population.

These two schools present a stark contrast in performance and resources. Parlier High, the district's main comprehensive school, graduates over 93% of its students, exceeding the state average, though its academic proficiency rates in English, math, and science are below state benchmarks. In sharp comparison, San Joaquin Valley High reported 0% proficiency in math and science for 2024-2025 and struggles with a chronic absenteeism rate of 55.4%, nearly triple the state average.

The most surprising finding is the extreme difference in per-student spending, with San Joaquin Valley High spending approximately 12 times more per student than Parlier High despite its severe academic and attendance challenges. This suggests the alternative school serves a highly at-risk population requiring intensive, costly support. Overall, the Parlier Unified district faces significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 7% statewide, though Parlier High shows positive momentum with a recent improvement in its statewide ranking.