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Walnutwood High (Independent Study)

Q: Is Walnutwood High (Independent Study) a good school?

Walnutwood High (Independent Study) ranks 1434 th of 2135 California alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades K-12

1434^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,135 California Alternative Schools

Better than 33% of California alternative schools

Summary

Walnutwood High (Independent Study) is a 221-student K–12 alternative school in Rancho Cordova, in the Folsom-Cordova Unified district. Its results show a clear academic split: English language arts (ELA) is a relative bright spot, while math and science are the main concerns. The most important finding for families is that all three subjects are below state and district proficiency rates, with the largest gaps in math.

Compared with the state and district, Walnutwood’s 2025–2026 proficiency rates were 41% in ELA, 12% in math, and 23% in science. ELA was 8 percentage points below the state and 18 below the district; math was 26 and 37 points below, respectively; science was 13 and 24 points below. In nearby comparisons, Walnutwood ranked second-highest in ELA among six schools with reported results, at 41%, versus a 31% average. Its 12% in math was below the nearby average of 19%, and its 23% in science was below all five nearby reported results, which averaged 33%. For example, Innovations Academy reported 39% in ELA, 17% in math, and 25% in science.

ELA and science have improved overall since 2022–2023, gaining 3 and 9 percentage points, while math rose only 2 points and its gap to the state widened by 2 points. Results fluctuated over that period, so the gains do not represent steady year-to-year improvement. Other indicators offer some context: chronic absenteeism fell 35 points from 2021–2022 to 2025–2026, to 11%, and graduation was 90%, above the state’s 88% but below the district’s 96%. Walnutwood’s 2024–2025 student–teacher ratio was 17.9, below the nearby average of 21.6; 46% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible in 2024–2025, also below the nearby average of 61%. SchoolDigger rates the district—not Walnutwood itself—at 376 of 968, in the 61st percentile, with 3 stars; no school-level rating is supplied.

221

Students ?

17.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$22,536

Per pupil spending ?

46.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

Not published

Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2024-25)

10848 Gadsten Way
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-5102

(916) 294-9105

District: Folsom-Cordova Unified

Racial breakdown:

White:

53.8%

Hispanic:

24.4%

Two or more races:

11.3%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Walnutwood High (Independent Study) to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 7th percentile in 2016 → 33rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 26 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (25% vs 42% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Mathematics scores 26 pts below the California average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school25%

District avg53%

California avg42%

1,434^th of 2,135

California public high schools ?

Bottom 33%▼ down 18 pts since 2016

From top 49% (2016) to bottom 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Alternative Schools in the Folsom-Cordova Unified

599^th of 1,530Folsom-Cordova 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2016	10.5	2328 of 2497	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	28.2	1695 of 2259	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	29.6	1656 of 2236	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	31.9	1341 of 1999	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2005	30.1	1232 of 1777	30.7%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	32.6	1434 of 2135	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	28.2	1518 of 2162	29.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.9	1541 of 2159	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.4	1365 of 2170	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.0	907 of 2123	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.2	971 of 2133	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.9	1018 of 2017	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	43.6	1161 of 2021	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	51.0	998 of 2039	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	62.2	699 of 1994	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2013	41.2	1034 of 2426	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	41.0	1026 of 2354	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	40.0	1065 of 2367	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	46.2	858 of 2281	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	53.7	633 of 2238	71.7%	★★★★☆
2008	51.2	651 of 2117	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	35.6	1000 of 2063	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	43.0	780 of 1968	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2005	51.1	568 of 1901	70.1%	★★★★☆
2004	38.4	736 of 1653	55.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	27.8	1370 of 1864	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	18.5	1541 of 1906	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.7	1494 of 1915	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.4	1497 of 1915	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	45.2	929 of 1858	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	30.3	1271 of 1833	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.8	1029 of 1760	41.5%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	14.2	1590 of 1880	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.3	1473 of 1900	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.3	1560 of 1917	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.5	1258 of 1742	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	19.8	1571 of 1997	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	21.3	1558 of 2013	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.7	1598 of 2026	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.9	1516 of 2030	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.3	1305 of 1943	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	43.8	1081 of 1937	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	59.1	741 of 1862	60.2%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	33.2	1277 of 1930	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.5	1099 of 1942	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.2	1438 of 1948	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	49.7	876 of 1963	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.4	798 of 1916	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.3	652 of 1880	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.4	933 of 1834	49.1%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	11.0	528 of 588	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	15.9	972 of 1130	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	12.7	1016 of 1155	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	12.5	1038 of 1173	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.5	973 of 1193	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.5	860 of 1204	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	34.6	820 of 1222	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.7	781 of 1173	33.4%	★★☆☆☆

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)

High school

Male (2026)34th percentile~ school

Female (2026)27th percentile-6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)21st percentile-12 vs school

Hispanic (2026)15th percentile-17 vs school

White (2026)14th percentile-19 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)10th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy41%-8 vs state

Science23%-13 vs state

Mathematics12%-26 vs state

★

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Schools Near Walnutwood High (Independent Study)

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				CAST Science (2026)						Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)								Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)								Vaccination (2024-25)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science 10th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Walnutwood High (Independent Study)	Public, Alternative	K-12	10848 Gadsten Way	Rancho Cordova	95670	Sacramento County	Folsom-Cordova Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(916) 294-9105	221	12	17.9	46.2%	119 (53.8%)	10 (4.5%)	54 (24.4%)	12 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	25 (11.3%)								(n/a)				23.5		23.1							41.2	41.2							12.0	12.0			$22,536	$22,050	$486
Innovations Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	10886 Gadsten Way	Rancho Cordova	95670	Sacramento County	Folsom-Cordova Unified	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(916) 294-2445	113	9	12.3	58.4%	41 (36.3%)	10 (8.8%)	34 (30.1%)	7 (6.2%)	1 (0.9%)	2 (1.8%)	18 (15.9%)								(n/a)		26.1		20.0		25.0					33.3	27.3	60.0	39.1					26.7	13.0	13.3	17.1			$31,294	$31,020	$274
Lake View Charter	Public, Virtual, Charter, Alternative	K-12	3101 Zinfandel Dr. Ste. 350	Rancho Cordova	95662	Sacramento County	Lake View Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(916) 957-5877	969	28	34.6	56.2%	706 (72.9%)	12 (1.2%)	140 (14.4%)	6 (0.6%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	98 (10.1%)								(n/a)	37.7	40.0		53.1		40.7	31.4	32.4	40.6	36.6	54.4	44.0	60.6	40.1	23.8	22.6	21.7	18.3	33.8	28.0	30.3	24.5	15%	0%	$29,337	$29,136	$201
New Pacific Charter - Rancho Cordova	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	10710 Bear Hollow	Rancho Cordova	95670	Sacramento County	New Pacific Charter - Rancho Cordova District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(866) 992-9033	164	6	27.3	45.1%	80 (48.8%)	6 (3.7%)	34 (20.7%)	40 (24.4%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.8%)								(n/a)	38.5					38.5	5.6	35.3	61.5	38.5	53.3			36.8	22.2	29.4	15.4	30.8	46.7			29.0	90%	0%	$33,440	$33,054	$386
Foundations Academy	Public, Alternative	K-12	10474 Mather Blvd.	Mather	95826	Sacramento County	Sacramento County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(916) 228-2380	171	20	8.5	30.4%	46 (26.9%)	26 (15.2%)	64 (37.4%)	21 (12.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.8%)	11 (6.4%)								(n/a)														0.0								7.1
Visions In Education	Public, Virtual, Charter, Alternative	K-12	11931 Foundation Pl.	Gold River	95670	Sacramento County	Visions In Education District	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(916) 883-1601	7,460	290	25.7	57.0%	2,905 (38.9%)	627 (8.4%)	2,336 (31.3%)	490 (6.6%)	59 (0.8%)	55 (0.7%)	949 (12.7%)								(n/a)	36.1	44.4	42.2	45.3	40.4	42.7	42.7	42.5	50.9	46.9	54.3	55.2	55.9	51.5	39.5	34.3	27.7	31.7	45.4	46.2	50.5	42.4	39%	0%
Ralph Richardson Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	4848 Cottage Way	Carmichael	95608	Sacramento County	San Juan Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(916) 971-7411	54	6	8.9	37.0%	32 (59.3%)	3 (5.6%)	11 (20.4%)	5 (9.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.9%)	2 (3.7%)								(n/a)
Marconi Learning Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	2444 Marconi Ave.	Sacramento	95821	Sacramento County	Marconi Learning Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(916) 974-7307	464	12	38.3	89.0%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)					28.0	28.0							22.2	22.2							1.2	1.2			$45,601	$44,982	$619
Community Outreach Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	5637 Skvarla Ave.	McClellan	95652	Sacramento County	Community Outreach Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(916) 286-5170	1,931	78	24.6	74.0%	1,852 (95.9%)	3 (0.2%)	58 (3.0%)	16 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.1%)								(n/a)	37.9	33.1				35.8	33.5	41.1	48.1	36.8	37.6	40.7		39.8	37.3	42.8	30.4	34.4	35.6	33.7		35.9	81%	3%
Community Collaborative Charter	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	5715 Skvarla Ave.	McClellan	95652	Sacramento County	Community Collaborative Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(916) 286-5161	649	47	13.9	84.6%	337 (51.9%)	64 (9.9%)	200 (30.8%)	9 (1.4%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (4.8%)								(n/a)	21.6	21.3		34.8		25.4	27.5	16.7	29.4	23.2	28.1	37.5	38.6	30.6	20.5	17.1	17.3	21.7	24.2	31.7	34.7	25.9	86%	5%

Frequently Asked Questions about Walnutwood High (Independent Study)

What district is Walnutwood High (Independent Study) in?

Folsom-Cordova Unified

What is the racial makeup of Walnutwood High (Independent Study)?

Students at Walnutwood High (Independent Study) are 54% White, 24% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 5% Asian, 5% African American.

How many students attend Walnutwood High (Independent Study)?

In the 2024-25 school year, 221 students attended Walnutwood High (Independent Study).

Is Walnutwood High (Independent Study) a good school?

Walnutwood High (Independent Study) ranks 1434^th of 2135 California alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Walnutwood High (Independent Study)!

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Latest California data All new data »

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 15, 2026

2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewOct 15, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

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.