Baden High (Continuation)

Baden High (Continuation) is a small, alternative public high school serving about 130 students in grades 9-12 within the South San Francisco Unified district, designed for students who have faced significant challenges in traditional school settings.

The school's academic results and graduation rates are significantly lower than other area high schools. For example, only about 13% of students are proficient in English and 2% in math, compared to over 73% at nearby El Camino High. Its 56.9% graduation rate and 26.2% dropout rate are also much higher than the district averages of 90.9% and 5.3%, respectively. Chronic absenteeism, at 56.6%, is a major challenge. Interestingly, Thornton High, another local continuation school, shows better outcomes with a 70.4% graduation rate, suggesting different approaches may exist.

Baden High receives more funding per student (over $25,500) and has a lower student-teacher ratio than most comprehensive high schools in the area, like South San Francisco High. This reflects the additional resources needed for its student population. While the school struggles overall, it shows relative strength in serving special education students. The school's performance is volatile year-to-year, partly due to its small size, and it operates in a region where most other schools, such as Oceana High and Westmoor High, are high-performing, creating a stark contrast for its students.