Best High Schools in Zip Code 96002

This analysis examines two high schools serving grades 9-12 in Redding, California (zip code 96002): Enterprise High and California Heritage Youthbuild Academy II.

Enterprise High, part of the Shasta Union High district, is the larger, traditional high school with a very strong 95.1% graduation rate, though its academic proficiency scores in English, math, and science are below both district and state averages. In contrast, California Heritage Youthbuild Academy II is a much smaller alternative education program in the California Heritage Youthbuild Academy II District that faces significant challenges, including extremely high chronic absenteeism and historically high dropout rates, with academic proficiency significantly lower than Enterprise.

When comparing the two, Enterprise High demonstrates more consistent performance and better student outcomes despite having lower per-student spending. Youthbuild Academy, which serves a population with very high economic need, spends more per student but struggles with fundamental engagement metrics like attendance. For parents, this highlights two very different educational environments within the same area: a comprehensive high school with a strong track record of graduating students and an alternative school designed for a specific, high-needs population where traditional academic metrics may not fully reflect its mission.