Best High Schools in Zip Code 95987

Zip code 95987 in Williams, CA, is served by three high schools—a traditional comprehensive school, a county-run alternative academy, and a continuation school—collectively educating about 650 students in grades 7-12 within a high-poverty rural area.

For families, Williams Junior/Senior High is the largest and most academically proficient option, with the best test scores in English and math and a strong 96.1% graduation rate, all while operating at the lowest per-student cost. In contrast, S. William Abel Academy, a smaller alternative school run by the Colusa County Office of Education, shows severe academic challenges despite the highest per-student spending. The Mid Valley High (Continuation), part of Williams Unified, stands out for its perfect 100% graduation rate, successfully helping at-risk students complete their diplomas.

Key takeaways for parents include a significant mathematics crisis across all schools, with proficiency far below state averages, and a sharp divide in chronic absenteeism between the traditional and alternative school settings. While Williams Junior/Senior High offers the most stable academic environment, its statewide ranking has declined recently. The continuation school's success in graduation demonstrates effective support for students who have struggled elsewhere, though all schools in the area face the considerable challenge of serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged population.