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Independence High

Public Grades 9-12

1660^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,162 California High Schools

Better than 23% of California high schools

Summary

Independence High is a small public high school serving 137 students in grades 9-12 within the Paso Robles Joint Unified school district, but it faces significant challenges in maintaining consistent academic performance and student attendance.

The school's most pressing issues are very low academic proficiency, especially in math where only 3.33% of students are proficient, and a high rate of chronic absenteeism at 35.0%, which is nearly double the district average. This pattern of struggling with attendance and academics is common among similar alternative schools in the area, such as Liberty High (Continuation) and Paloma Creek High. However, Independence High shows relative strengths within this group, with a higher graduation rate (88.4%) and better attendance than these peers. There is a stark contrast within its own district, as the comprehensive Paso Robles High performs significantly better academically.

Interestingly, the school receives more funding per student ($18,947) than most nearby comprehensive high schools, yet outcomes are weaker, suggesting it may serve students with greater needs. The school's statewide ranking has been highly volatile in recent years, which can be exaggerated by its small size. For families, the key takeaway is that while the school supports a challenging student population toward graduation better than some local alternatives, major hurdles in daily attendance and core academic achievement remain central concerns.

137

Students ?

22.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,947

Per pupil spending ?

55.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

812 Niblick Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446-4858

(805) 769-1620

District: Paso Robles Joint Unified

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

61.3%

White:

33.6%

Two or more races:

5.1%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 55th percentile in 2015 → 23rd in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (17% vs 41% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (23rd percentile)

!Dropout rate above the California average (12% vs 8%)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school17%

District avg36%

California avg41%

1,660^th of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Bottom 23%▼ down 32 pts since 2015

From top 45% (2015) to bottom 23% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3High Schools in the Paso Robles Joint Unified

940^th of 1,543Paso Robles Joint Unified among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	21.6	1660 of 2162	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	39.0	1268 of 2159	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	27.2	1545 of 2170	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	63.6	639 of 2123	69.9%	★★★★☆
2021	53.9	551 of 1290	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.1	1002 of 2133	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.4	1114 of 2017	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	47.8	1074 of 2021	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	42.5	1151 of 2039	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2015	54.3	894 of 1994	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	35.0	1183 of 2426	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	28.9	1327 of 2354	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	35.9	1153 of 2367	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	37.1	1080 of 2281	52.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	24.8	1440 of 1906	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	34.1	1249 of 1915	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	27.0	1388 of 1915	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	42.7	987 of 1858	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.9	626 of 1054	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.8	973 of 1833	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	41.6	1078 of 1760	38.8%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	19.2	1521 of 1900	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.8	1341 of 1902	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.7	1494 of 1917	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	87.7	155 of 1861	91.7%	★★★★★
2019	24.4	1346 of 1814	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	36.4	1147 of 1742	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	18.5	1607 of 2013	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	45.1	1071 of 2026	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.4	1337 of 2030	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	81.1	255 of 1943	86.9%	★★★★☆
2019	45.2	1050 of 1937	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.3	1130 of 1862	39.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	14.0	1639 of 1942	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	40.4	1092 of 1948	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	21.0	1519 of 1963	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	67.3	528 of 1916	72.4%	★★★★☆
2021	63.2	370 of 1122	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.1	907 of 1880	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	39.9	1102 of 1834	39.9%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	7.8	1062 of 1155	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	33.6	817 of 1173	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	16.9	1001 of 1193	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	43.1	721 of 1222	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	26.7	898 of 1173	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2025)24th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)20th percentile-3 vs school

Hispanic (2025)20th percentile-3 vs school

Male (2025)16th percentile-8 vs school

White (2025)8th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy32%-17 vs state

Science15%-18 vs state

Mathematics3%-34 vs state

★

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Schools Near Independence High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)		Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Independence High	Public	9-12	812 Niblick Rd.	Paso Robles	93446	San Luis Obispo County	Paso Robles Joint Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 769-1620	137	6	22.1	55.5%	46 (33.6%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (61.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (5.1%)	21.6	1660^th of 2162 public high schools	23.2%		39	1268^th of 2159 public high schools	41.3%	392	14.8		14.8	31.7	31.7	3.3	3.3	$18,947	$1,174	$17,773
Liberty High (Continuation)	Public	10-12	810 Niblick Rd.	Paso Robles	93446	San Luis Obispo County	Paso Robles Joint Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 769-1600	171	10	17.0	76.6%	30 (17.5%)	3 (1.8%)	134 (78.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.3%)	13.3	1872^nd of 2162 public high schools	13.4%		12.5	1912^th of 2159 public high schools	11.4%	40	5.6		6.5	18.6	18.6	4.3	4.3	$15,251	$1,174	$14,077
Paso Robles High	Public	9-12	801 Niblick Rd.	Paso Robles	93446	San Luis Obispo County	Paso Robles Joint Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 769-1500	1,986	92	21.6	65.0%	729 (36.7%)	23 (1.2%)	1,137 (57.3%)	25 (1.3%)	5 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	62 (3.1%)	74	509^th of 2162 public high schools	76.5%		51.6	967^th of 2159 public high schools	55.2%	458	40.2		39.6	67.4	67.4	33.3	33.3	$16,032	$1,521	$14,511
Templeton Independent Study High	Public	9-12	964 Old County Rd.	Templeton	93465	San Luis Obispo County	Templeton Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 434-5833	96	4	24.1	34.4%	48 (50.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (35.4%)	1 (1.0%)	2 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (11.5%)	44.7	1148^th of 2162 public high schools	46.9%		37	1315^th of 2159 public high schools	39.1%	167	28.1		28.6	51.5	51.5	12.1	12.1	$12,842	$959	$11,883
Eagle Canyon High	Public	9-12	950 Old County Rd.	Templeton	93465	San Luis Obispo County	Templeton Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 434-5833	13	1	13.2	46.2%	1 (7.7%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (53.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (38.5%)								(n/a)								$19,167	$1,227	$17,940
Templeton High	Public	9-12	1200 Main St.	Templeton	93465	San Luis Obispo County	Templeton Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 434-5888	725	37	19.8	28.4%	469 (64.7%)	1 (0.1%)	178 (24.6%)	6 (0.8%)	4 (0.6%)	3 (0.4%)	64 (8.8%)	73.8	515^th of 2162 public high schools	76.2%		83.6	350^th of 2159 public high schools	83.8%	165	38.4		36.8	74.0	74.0	30.9	30.9	$16,524	$928	$15,596
Atascadero High	Public	9-12	1 High School Hill	Atascadero	93422	San Luis Obispo County	Atascadero Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 462-4300	1,157	59	19.5	44.9%	698 (60.3%)	17 (1.5%)	367 (31.7%)	21 (1.8%)	7 (0.6%)	3 (0.3%)	43 (3.7%)	69.1	619^th of 2162 public high schools	71.4%		54.4	896^th of 2159 public high schools	58.5%	277	39.1		38.2	60.5	60.5	31.3	31.3	$17,190	$651	$16,539
Paloma Creek High	Public	9-12	10801 El Camino Real	Atascadero	93422	San Luis Obispo County	Atascadero Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 462-4350	55	3	16.0	70.9%	32 (58.2%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (38.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.8%)	8.5	2096^th of 2162 public high schools	3.1%		10.5	2040^th of 2159 public high schools	5.5%	56	0.0		4.2	11.8	11.8	0.0	0.0	$17,946	$917	$17,029
Atascadero Choices in Education Academy (ACE)	Public	9-12	10801 El Camino Real	Atascadero	93422	San Luis Obispo County	Atascadero Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 462-4350	159	6	28.5	40.9%	108 (67.9%)	1 (0.6%)	40 (25.2%)	3 (1.9%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.8%)	37.8	1315^th of 2162 public high schools	39.2%		56.8	841^st of 2159 public high schools	61.0%	474	20.4		20.4	44.2	44.2	15.7	15.7	$12,865	$368	$12,497
Shandon High	Public	9-12	101 South First St.	Shandon	93461	San Luis Obispo County	Shandon Joint Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(805) 238-0286	83	7	12.2	71.1%	9 (10.8%)	1 (1.2%)	73 (88.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21	1672^nd of 2162 public high schools	22.7%		35.3	1361^st of 2159 public high schools	37.0%	311	10.5	15.0	12.8	21.1	21.1	0.0	0.0	$29,221	$1,235	$27,986

Frequently Asked Questions about Independence High

How many students attend Independence High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 137 students attended Independence High.

What district is Independence High in?

Paso Robles Joint Unified

What is the racial makeup of Independence High?

Students at Independence High are 61% Hispanic, 34% White, 5% Two or more races.

Is Independence High a good school?

Independence High ranks in the bottom 23.2% of California high schools.

Rate Independence High!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.