Potter Valley High

Potter Valley High is a very small, rural public high school serving just 79 students in grades 9-12 within the Potter Valley Community Unified district, which ranks in the bottom quarter of districts statewide.

Academically, the school has shown extreme ups and downs in state test scores and rankings over the years, more so than larger, more stable schools like Ukiah High. For the 2024-2025 school year, its academic performance was very low, placing it near the bottom of all California high schools. However, it achieves a remarkable 94.7% graduation rate, which is higher than the state average and outperforms many nearby schools, including Willits High and continuation schools like Sanhedrin Alternative. The school also has a lower rate of chronic absenteeism (19.0%) than most area schools, though it is higher than the high-performing Redwood Collegiate Academy.

This creates a puzzling picture of a school that struggles with standardized test proficiency but excels at supporting students to graduation. The small size means the performance of just a few students can cause big swings in annual scores. While the school spends a moderate amount per student, its recent data shows promising improvement in serving students from low-income families. The success of nearby charter schools like Redwood Collegiate Academy suggests that different educational approaches in the area can lead to higher academic achievement.