Best Schools in Alturas, California
7 schools · 1 Elementary · 3 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Alturas?
Use this page to compare every school in Alturas by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Modoc Middle
Middle · Modoc Joint Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Alturas Elementary
Elementary · Modoc Joint Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Modoc High
High · Modoc Joint Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Alturas for 2026 are Modoc Middle (7.4/10), Alturas Elementary (6.8/10), and Modoc High (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$192,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$192,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Alturas schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Alturas
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modoc Middle | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Alturas Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Modoc High | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Shasta View Academy | 6.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $57,117
- Median home value
- $192,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Alturas compares
California rank
#161 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$57k
57% of California median
Schools in this city
4
Modoc Joint Unified runs 83% of Alturas's public schools
Alturas touches 2 districts, but Modoc Joint Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
Modoc Joint Unified accounts for 5 of 6 public schools (83%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.2 to 7.4 — the spread is inside Alturas, not a citywide average.
- Modoc Joint Unified5 public · 83%
- Shasta View Academy District1 public · 17%
About Schools in Alturas, California
Alturas, California is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Alturas show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Alturas is Modoc Middle with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Alturas is served by 2 school districts: Shasta View Academy District, Modoc Joint Unified. These districts collectively serve 1,301 students.
Alturas's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $57,117. The poverty rate in the area is 23.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 357 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 |
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 202 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 4 students · 6th–10th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Alturas Mennonite SchoolPrivate 20 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 237 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 10 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 491 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.2 |
Schools in Alturas
Alturas, California · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$57,117
Median Home Value
$192,200
Median Rent
$830/mo
Population
4,868
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
72%
Poverty Rate
23.0%
Community Profile
Alturas has a median household income of $57,117. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,200, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Alturas, California
How many schools are in Alturas, California?
Alturas has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Alturas, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Alturas is 6.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Alturas, California?
The top-ranked school in Alturas on MySchoolScout is Modoc Middle with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Alturas, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Alturas on MySchoolScout is Alturas Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Alturas, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Alturas on MySchoolScout is Modoc Middle with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in Alturas, California?
The top-ranked high school in Alturas on MySchoolScout is Modoc High with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Alturas, California?
Alturas is served by 2 school districts: Shasta View Academy District, Modoc Joint Unified.
What is the education level in Alturas, California?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Alturas have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Alturas, California?
The median household income in Alturas is approximately $57,117 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Alturas, California?
Yes, Alturas has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Alturas, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Alturas is 16.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Alturas, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
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- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.