Best Public Schools in Zip Code 95970

Zip code 95970 in Princeton, California, is served by two public schools within the Princeton Joint Unified district: Princeton Elementary (grades K-8) and Princeton High (grades 9-12), forming a small, rural district with about 126 total students.

These schools serve a community with significant economic need, with roughly two-thirds of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch at both schools. Academically, the schools present a contrasting picture. Princeton Elementary has shown declining performance and ranks very low statewide, with proficiency rates in English, math, and science all below district and state averages, particularly in science where only 8.7% of students are proficient. In contrast, Princeton High has made notable improvements, now ranking near the state average, boasting a strong 92.9% graduation rate, and exceeding the state average in English Language Arts proficiency.

Key differences include much smaller class sizes at the high school (8 students per teacher versus 15 at the elementary level) and higher per-student spending. A significant concern is the high school's chronic absenteeism rate of 25%, which is higher than the elementary school's and the state average, even as it achieves solid academic results. While the high school excels in English, both schools, especially the elementary, struggle with mathematics and science compared to the state, indicating areas for potential district-wide focus.