High Schools in Stockton Unified

This analysis examines 11 high schools within the Stockton Unified School District, serving grades 9-12, revealing a district of stark contrasts where smaller, specialized academies significantly outperform larger comprehensive high schools.

The clear standout is Stockton Early College Academy, ranking in the top 2% of all California high schools with exceptional test scores and a 99% graduation rate, followed by other strong specialized programs like Pacific Law Academy and Health Careers Academy. In contrast, schools like Stockton High and Jane Frederick High face severe challenges, with graduation rates below 55% and chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 78%.

Key takeaways for parents include the consistent success of smaller learning communities, a district-wide struggle with math proficiency and chronic absenteeism, and the notable finding that higher per-student spending does not automatically translate to better outcomes, as the highest-performing academy spends the least per student. The traditional comprehensive high schools—Edison High, Franklin High, Cesar Chavez High, and Stagg Senior High—generally perform in the middle to lower range compared to state averages.