Invictus Academy of Richmond

Invictus Academy of Richmond is a public charter high school serving about 400 students in grades 7-12 in El Cerrito, part of an area with a wide mix of very high-performing and struggling schools.

This school serves a community with significant economic need, yet it achieves stronger academic results than several nearby traditional high schools with similar student populations. For example, its graduation rate of 85.9% is higher than Richmond High (75.6%) and John F. Kennedy High (73.2%), and its students are more proficient in both English and math. The school shows particular strength in supporting its African American and Hispanic students, who perform well above state averages for their subgroups. However, the school faces a major challenge with chronic student absenteeism, which is more than double the California average.

Compared to other charters, Invictus Academy of Richmond spends less per student than some, like John Henry High, but gets better results in core subjects and graduation. Its year-to-year state ranking has been volatile, and there is a notable performance gap where male students significantly outperform female students. Operating as its own district likely gives it flexibility, which may contribute to its ability to help students succeed through to graduation despite the challenges it faces.