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Average

#4312 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 45% in state

Alternatives in Action

High School · Alternatives in Action District

6221 East 17th St., Oakland, CA 94621

Charter

Enrollment

132

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oakland

#64 of 147

public schools

California high schools

#864 of 1,892

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Alternatives in Action

Alternatives in Action is a charter high school located in Oakland, California. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 132 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. As a charter school, Alternatives in Action offers flexible educational options tailored to individual needs.

The academic performance data indicates room for growth, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #7590 out of 9566 schools in California (21st percentile). In terms of proficiency scores, only 17% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while the math proficiency rate is much lower at just 3%. These figures suggest that Alternatives in Action is focusing on student development and may benefit from additional support to enhance academic outcomes.

Located in a large city setting, Alternatives in Action serves a community rich with diverse cultural experiences and resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 132 students, Alternatives in Action is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Alternatives in Action are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Alternatives in Action is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.9 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,193

Alternatives in Action — Students at Alternatives in Action score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 3.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 16.7%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
ELA
20%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How Alternatives in Action Compares

See how Alternatives in Action performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in CA
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

6221 East 17th St., Oakland, CA 94621

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alternatives in Action may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Oakland Unity High (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coliseum College Prep Academy (rated 5.3/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fremont High (rated 5.1/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Greenleaf Oakland 0.0 mi 5.4
Coliseum College Prep Academy Oakland 0.2 mi 5.3
Lockwood STEAM Academy Elementary Oakland 0.3 mi 5.0
Aspire Golden State College Preparatory Academy Oakland 0.4 mi 4.4
Aurum Preparatory Academy Oakland 0.5 mi 7.2
Oakland Unity Middle Oakland 0.4 mi 7.3
Muhammad University Oakland 0.6 mi
Horace Mann Elementary Oakland 0.8 mi 7.3
Bridges @ Melrose Academy Elementary Oakland 0.7 mi 4.7
Frick United Academy of Language Middle Oakland 0.8 mi 5.3
EnCompass Academy Elementary Oakland 0.9 mi 7.1
ACORN Woodland Elementary Oakland 0.9 mi 3.5
Oakland Unity High Oakland 0.9 mi 8.3
SPECTRUM CENTER Oakland 0.9 mi 5.6
Spectrum Center, Camden Campus Oakland 0.9 mi
Aspire Triumph Technology Academy Oakland 1.0 mi 3.1
Melrose Leadership Academy Oakland 1.1 mi 9.1
Fremont High Oakland 1.0 mi 5.1
Markham Elementary Oakland 0.9 mi 6.3
Julia Morgan School for Girls Oakland 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,106

Median Home Value

$537,600

Median Rent

$1,527/mo

Population

34,658

College Educated

12.6%

Homeownership

35%

Avg Commute

28.7 min

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alternatives in Action has a median household income of $53,106. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $537,600, with a median rent of $1,527/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Apollo High Simi Valley, CA 6.5
Baden High (Continuation) South San Francisco, CA 6.5
Broadway High San Jose, CA 6.5
CRISTO REY SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL San Diego, CA 6.5
Cache Creek High (Continuation) Yolo, CA 6.5
Desert Valley High (Continuation) Brawley, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alternatives in Action

What grades does Alternatives in Action serve?

Alternatives in Action serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Alternatives in Action?

Alternatives in Action has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alternatives in Action?

The student-teacher ratio at Alternatives in Action is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alternatives in Action rank in CA?

Alternatives in Action is ranked #4312 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Alternatives in Action's MySchoolScout rating?

Alternatives in Action has a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alternatives in Action?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alternatives in Action has 3.3% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alternatives in Action a charter school?

Yes, Alternatives in Action is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Alternatives in Action a Title I school?

No, Alternatives in Action is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alternatives in Action?

93.9% of students at Alternatives in Action qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (9,182/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oakland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Alameda County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Alternatives in Action District
District Enrollment
132
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,245
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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