Richard H. Lewis Alternative

Richard H. Lewis Alternative is a K–12 school serving 118 students in Clearlake, California, operating within the Konocti Unified school district and designed for students who may benefit from a non-traditional educational setting.

The school faces significant challenges, particularly with student attendance and academic proficiency. Its chronic absenteeism rate is 54.4%, more than double the state average, which heavily impacts learning. Academic performance, especially in math and science, is very low, with only 1.56% of students proficient in math and 2.78% in science, though English Language Arts is a relative strength at 21.54%. The school's graduation rate is 80.8%, slightly below the state average, with an 11.5% dropout rate. It's important to note that the school serves a high-need population, with 72% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Comparisons with nearby alternative schools highlight a wide spectrum of outcomes. For instance, Lakeport Alternative (Home School) reports a 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate, while Kelseyville Learning Academy has a chronic absenteeism rate of just 1.9%. California Online Public Schools North Bay shows much higher academic proficiency. This suggests that while Richard H. Lewis Alternative serves a vulnerable population, there are models nearby achieving stronger results in key areas like attendance and graduation, potentially offering a roadmap for improvement.