Summary:
Zip code 93023 in Ojai, California, is served by two public high schools within the Ojai Unified district: the comprehensive Nordhoff High and the much smaller alternative Legacy High.
Nordhoff High is the district's main high school, serving the vast majority of students with a graduation rate of 89.5% that exceeds state averages. It shows a particular strength in English Language Arts, where student proficiency significantly outpaces both the district and state. However, its performance in mathematics is below average, and the school experienced a notable drop in its statewide ranking last year. In contrast, Legacy High serves a very small population of high-need students, with a far lower graduation rate of 69.6% and alarmingly high chronic absenteeism, though it maintains a surprisingly low dropout rate.
This creates a two-tier picture within the same district. Parents should be aware that Nordhoff High offers stronger overall academic outcomes, while Legacy High appears to serve a specific, at-risk student population with dedicated support, explaining its very different performance metrics. The district faces the dual challenge of addressing mathematics instruction across schools and supporting the acute needs of students at the alternative campus.
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