Pacific Career and Technology High

Pacific Career and Technology High is a very small public high school serving 69 students in grades 9-12 within the Twin Rivers Unified district in North Highlands, an area where district schools generally face significant challenges.

This school presents a complex picture for parents: it has achieved a remarkable graduation rate of nearly 90%, which now exceeds the state average, yet students' proficiency in core academic subjects like English and math remains extremely low, in the single digits. A critical concern is chronic absenteeism, with over 84% of students missing significant school, a rate far higher than at nearby traditional high schools like Antelope High or Center High. The school operates with intensive resources, spending over $46,000 per student—more than double most area schools—and maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6-to-1, allowing for highly individualized attention.

Compared to other alternative schools in the region, such as McClellan High (Continuation), Pacific Career and Technology High has a stronger graduation rate but a severe absenteeism problem. The data suggests the school may be effectively designed to support students who have struggled elsewhere to complete graduation requirements through alternative pathways, even while significant academic gaps and attendance barriers remain. The surrounding district context is important, as all high schools in Twin Rivers Unified rank lower than those in neighboring districts like Roseville Joint Union High.