Summary:
In the rural area of Etna, California (zip code 96027), the Scott Valley Unified district operates three public schools serving grades 3-12, with a total of 327 students, featuring one elementary and two high schools in a small, close-knit community.
Etna Union High is the standout academic performer, ranking in the top 12% of California high schools with a near-perfect 97.7% graduation rate and zero dropouts, significantly outperforming state averages in English and Math despite a student population with high economic need. In contrast, Etna Elementary shows strong student engagement with an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 4.7%, though its academic performance is closer to the state average. The third school, Scott River High, is a very small alternative high school with only 17 students that faces significant challenges, including an alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rate of 56%.
Overall, the district is above average statewide and excels at ensuring students graduate, boasting a 97.9% graduation rate. However, parents should note the dramatic differences between schools: the comprehensive high school is exceptionally strong, the elementary school has excellent attendance, and the alternative high school serves a vulnerable population with intensive needs, which contributes to the wide variation in outcomes within this small community.
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