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Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy

Public, Virtual, Alternative Grades K-12

4616^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Alternative Schools

Better than 21% of California alternative schools

Summary

Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy is a public K-12 alternative school serving 420 students in San Pablo, part of the West Contra Costa Unified district, designed for families seeking a non-traditional, flexible learning environment.

Academically, the school's test scores are below state averages, with particular challenges in mathematics and science, though there are pockets of strength in specific grades like 4th grade English. A significant concern is the high rate of chronic absenteeism, at 38.9%, which is much higher than the state average. On a positive note, the school has shown recent improvement, with its graduation rate rising to 80% and its dropout rate falling to 7.1% for the 2024-2025 school year, and it maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1, which can allow for more individualized attention.

Compared to other alternative schools in the area, Vista occupies a middle ground. Its graduation rate is higher than Independent Study Sojourner Truth (59.0%) but lower than Nova Education Center (97.0%). A standout fact is its very low per-student spending of $4,501, which is dramatically less than most similar schools, though it spends more than Horizons School: Independent Study. This creates a complex picture where resource levels, student support ratios, and academic outcomes don't always align as expected.

420

Students ?

12.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

52.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2625 Barnard Rd.
San Pablo, CA 94806-2703

(510) 231-1431

District: West Contra Costa Unified

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

46.9%

African American:

17.1%

Asian:

14.5%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 10th percentile in 2023 → 32nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 32nd (2025) from a 10th-percentile low (2023)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (24% vs 41% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (21st percentile)

!Graduation rate below the California average (80% vs 88%)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school24%

District avg28%

California avg41%

Elementary school

4,616^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Bottom 21%▼ down 12 pts since 2022

From bottom 33% (2022) to bottom 21% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

1,577^th of 2,761

California public middle schools ?

Bottom 43%▲ up 29 pts since 2016

From bottom 13% (2016) to bottom 43% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

1,480^th of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Bottom 32%▲ up 6 pts since 2015

From bottom 26% (2015) to bottom 32% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1110^th of 1,543West Contra Costa 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	22.7	4616 of 5857	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	17.8	5051 of 5869	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.5	4799 of 5859	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.0	3945 of 5883	32.9%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	24.6	4292 of 5597	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	22.1	4515 of 5609	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	35.4	3292 of 5635	41.6%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	20.2	4476 of 5087	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.1	4030 of 5084	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	6.6	5425 of 5460	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	15.5	5116 of 5517	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	27.6	4110 of 5363	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	28.0	3995 of 5264	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	10.1	5482 of 5643	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	22.6	4472 of 5638	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.5	4285 of 5663	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	37.1	1577 of 2761	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.0	1858 of 2783	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	14.9	2497 of 2781	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.1	1673 of 2740	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	16.4	2161 of 2497	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	4.8	2329 of 2379	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	6.9	2172 of 2259	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	2.8	2212 of 2236	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	11.7	2026 of 2179	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	26.1	1574 of 2063	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	19.0	1705 of 2005	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	26.1	1344 of 1804	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	15.5	1564 of 1777	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	20.6	1429 of 1769	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	12.9	598 of 613	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	41.4	719 of 1521	52.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	45.6	1219 of 2533	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.9	1259 of 2551	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	15.0	2300 of 2531	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	23.3	1913 of 2509	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	51.4	981 of 2395	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	43.2	1189 of 2388	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	12.7	2258 of 2374	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	30.2	1616 of 2359	31.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	37.2	1511 of 2542	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	27.7	1876 of 2579	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.9	2343 of 2531	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.7	2258 of 2458	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	8.9	2497 of 2552	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	17.8	2185 of 2538	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	30.3	1480 of 2162	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	22.9	1631 of 2159	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.5	1332 of 2170	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.1	1325 of 2123	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	18.4	1044 of 1290	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.8	1511 of 2133	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.7	1468 of 2017	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	21.8	1483 of 2021	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	18.1	1550 of 2039	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	21.0	1475 of 1994	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	19.4	1674 of 2426	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	19.0	1660 of 2354	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	19.1	1663 of 2367	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	22.2	1525 of 2281	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	30.6	1361 of 2238	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	22.9	1413 of 2117	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	22.9	1378 of 2063	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2006	26.3	1204 of 1968	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2005	39.0	825 of 1901	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2004	39.9	708 of 1653	57.2%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	30.7	1321 of 1906	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	16.4	1599 of 1915	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.3	1377 of 1915	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.9	1226 of 1858	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	22.6	1407 of 1833	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.3	1319 of 1760	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	23.3	1456 of 1900	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.2	1551 of 1902	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	40.6	1126 of 1917	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	19.8	1501 of 1861	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.2	1333 of 1814	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	18.9	1326 of 1742	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	34.6	1328 of 2013	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	23.0	1564 of 2026	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.8	1418 of 2030	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.5	1216 of 1943	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	19.7	1499 of 1937	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.2	1393 of 1862	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	23.0	1461 of 1942	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.5	1504 of 1948	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	44.6	987 of 1963	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.1	1250 of 1916	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	28.6	1303 of 1880	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	10.6	1644 of 1834	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	46.6	536 of 1252	57.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2023	25.4	909 of 1193	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Female (2025)23rd percentile~ school

Hispanic (2023)12th percentile-6 vs school

Male (2024)3rd percentile-11 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)1st percentile-21 vs school

Middle school

Hispanic (2025)59th percentile+16 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)53rd percentile+43 vs school

Female (2025)52nd percentile+9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)41st percentile~ school

African American (2023)2nd percentile-8 vs school

Male (2024)2nd percentile-31 vs school

High school

Special Education (2025)57th percentile+26 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)34th percentile~ school

Female (2025)31st percentile~ school

Male (2025)25th percentile-7 vs school

White (2023)24th percentile-15 vs school

Hispanic (2025)23rd percentile-8 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy33%-15 vs state

Mathematics20%-17 vs state

Science17%-15 vs state

★

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Schools Near Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy

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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 Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				CAST Science (2025)					Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)								Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)								% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Hepatitis B (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	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 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	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	2625 Barnard Rd.	San Pablo	94806	Contra Costa County	West Contra Costa Unified	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(510) 231-1431	420	35	12.0	52.6%	45 (10.7%)	72 (17.1%)	197 (46.9%)	61 (14.5%)	2 (0.5%)	6 (1.4%)	36 (8.6%)								(n/a)	13.6	32.0	13.0		17.3	30.8	50.0	13.6	38.5	24.0	32.0	41.5	33.3	15.4	21.4	9.1	30.8	28.0	33.3	13.2	20.1
Home and Hospital Program	Public, Alternative	K-12	915 54th St.	Oakland	94608	Alameda County	Oakland Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 879-5003	3	1	3.0		0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (66.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																												$1,620	$00	$1,620
Briones (Alternative)	Public, Alternative	K-12	925 Susana St.	Martinez	94553	Contra Costa County	Martinez Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 335-5800	48	2	24.6	37.5%	25 (52.1%)	2 (4.2%)	18 (37.5%)	1 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.2%)								(n/a)			11.1		17.4							16.7	24.1							11.1	20.7							$19,142	$18,428	$714
Marin County Special Education	Public, Alternative	K-12	1111 Las Gallinas Ave.	San Rafael	94903	Marin County	Marin County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(415) 491-6612	215	29	7.4	32.6%	70 (32.6%)	17 (7.9%)	84 (39.1%)	17 (7.9%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (11.6%)								(n/a)																						87.5	91.7		91.7	91.7	91.7
Elite Public	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	100 Whitney Ave.	Vallejo	94589	Solano County	Elite Public District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 652-3142	612	29	20.9	62.1%	17 (2.8%)	343 (56.0%)	213 (34.8%)	10 (1.6%)	4 (0.7%)	5 (0.8%)	20 (3.3%)								(n/a)	14.8	27.3	3.5		17.0	19.2	28.9	24.1	14.8	32.7	32.7	17.2	24.6	40.4	15.6	11.1	14.8	24.5	50.9	24.1	26.1							$32,884	$32,170	$714
Nea Community Learning Center	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1900 Third St.	Alameda	94501	Alameda County	Nea Community Learning Center District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 748-4008	479	23	21.2	32.2%	115 (24.0%)	64 (13.4%)	135 (28.2%)	76 (15.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	86 (18.0%)								(n/a)	48.9	30.4			41.9	50.0	52.1	57.5	40.0	35.1	13.6		44.8	62.0	39.6	17.0	20.0	16.2	21.7		31.7
Horizons School: Independent Study	Public, Alternative	K-12	1 Santa Barbara Rd.	Pleasant Hill	94523	Contra Costa County	Mt. Diablo Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 682-8000	182	17	10.4	45.6%	58 (31.9%)	8 (4.4%)	81 (44.5%)	16 (8.8%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (9.9%)								(n/a)	25.0	47.6	34.8		35.0		54.6		17.7	50.0	63.2	48.4	46.3		36.4	18.2	31.3	71.4	47.4	34.5	39.4	96.6	96.6	96.6	96.6	96.6	96.6	$464	$464	$00
Floyd I. Marchus	Public, Alternative	K-12	2900 Avon Ave.	Concord	94520	Contra Costa County	Contra Costa County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(925) 602-3421	50	8	6.2	60.0%	16 (32.0%)	19 (38.0%)	11 (22.0%)	3 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)					11.1								8.3								0.0
Nova Education Center	Public, Alternative	K-12	720 Diablo Blvd.	Novato	94947	Marin County	Novato Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(415) 897-7653	73	5	14.7	32.9%	33 (45.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (26.0%)	7 (9.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (16.4%)								(n/a)				40.9	41.4							56.5	53.7							13.0	24.4							$26,973	$26,248	$725
Independent Study Sojourner Truth	Public, Alternative	K-12	8251 Fontaine St.	Oakland	94605	Alameda County	Oakland Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(510) 879-5330	481	36	13.4	97.3%	119 (24.7%)	135 (28.1%)	140 (29.1%)	30 (6.2%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	51 (10.6%)								(n/a)	15.0	31.0	50.0	50.0	39.0	8.7	18.8	19.1	20.8	30.4	30.6	46.7	26.6	4.6	18.8	4.8	33.3	42.9	34.3	74.1	32.5							$33,780	$31,730	$2,050

Frequently Asked Questions about Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy

How many students attend Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 420 students attended Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy?

Students at Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy are 47% Hispanic, 17% African American, 15% Asian, 11% White, 9% Two or more races, 1% Pacific Islander.

Is Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy a good school?

Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy ranks in the bottom 21.2% of California alternative schools.

What district is Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy in?

West Contra Costa Unified

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Latest California data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataMar 13, 2026

2024–25 CSA Spanish test scoresDec 22, 2025

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 14, 2025

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.