Best Public Schools in Zip Code 96134

Zip code 96134 in Tulelake, California, is served by two public schools—Tulelake Basin Elementary and Tulelake High—within the Tulelake Basin Joint Unified district, forming a small, rural K-12 system for about 480 students.

Comparing the two schools reveals distinct strengths: the elementary school shows relatively stronger academic performance, particularly in early grade math, while the high school excels in student support, boasting a 97% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate that far exceed state averages. However, both schools face significant academic challenges, with proficiency rates in English, math, and science consistently below state averages, and this gap widens considerably at the high school level.

For parents, the key takeaway is that this district provides a supportive environment that successfully keeps students in school through graduation, but families should be prepared for academic performance that lags behind much of the state. The schools show signs of recent improvement in their statewide rankings, and the lower student-teacher ratios, especially at the high school, suggest more individualized attention may be available despite the rural setting and high poverty indicators.