Best High Schools in Zip Code 95519

Zip code 95519 in McKinleyville, California, is served by two public high schools within the Northern Humboldt Union High district: a comprehensive high school and a smaller continuation school, together educating nearly 600 students in grades 9-12.

McKinleyville High is the main comprehensive school, ranking in the middle of California high schools and achieving an exceptional 98.2% graduation rate that far exceeds the state average. However, its standardized test scores in English, math, and science are below state averages, and it has a very high rate of chronic student absenteeism at over 40%. Mad River High (Continuation) serves a distinct mission, providing an alternative for students at risk of not graduating; it has a much smaller enrollment, a higher percentage of students from low-income families, and maintains an 87.9% graduation rate for its population despite an even higher absenteeism rate.

Comparing the two, McKinleyville High has stronger graduation outcomes and higher per-student spending but faces academic proficiency challenges. Mad River High succeeds with a more vulnerable student population in a smaller setting. A key finding for parents is the notable paradox in both schools: remarkably high graduation rates coexist with very high chronic absenteeism, suggesting effective intervention programs are in place to help students succeed. The district as a whole performs above the state average.