Summary:
The Pierce Joint Unified district in California operates two high schools: the comprehensive Pierce High and the much smaller Arbuckle Alternative High (Continuation), which serves as a specialized program for at-risk students.
Pierce High is a standout for its exceptional performance, boasting a 97.5% graduation rate with zero dropouts, significantly exceeding state averages. The school has shown remarkable improvement in recent years and excels in English and science proficiency. However, its math scores are an area for growth, falling below the state average. In contrast, Arbuckle Alternative High (Continuation) serves only about 10 students with a very high per-student budget, reflecting the intensive support needed for its student population, though it faces challenges with chronic absenteeism.
Overall, the district demonstrates that high achievement is possible for students from economically diverse backgrounds, with Pierce High as a clear success story in graduation rates and core subjects outside of math. The presence of the alternative school shows the district's commitment to serving all students, albeit with different resource allocations and outcomes. For families, the data suggests a high-performing main high school with a strong record of getting students to graduation.
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