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Average

#4203 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 44% in state

Black Rock Alternative/continuation

High School · Morongo Unified

PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Enrollment

128

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Twentynine Palms

#4 of 15

public schools

California high schools

#834 of 1,892

In district

#4 of 16

Morongo Unified

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Black Rock Alternative/continuation

Black Rock Alternative/Continuation is a high school in Twentynine Palms, California, designed for students seeking an alternative educational experience. Serving grades 9 through 12 with a total enrollment of 128 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. With nine full-time equivalent teachers, Black Rock Alternative/Continuation focuses on providing support for those who may benefit from a different learning environment.

The academic performance at Black Rock is currently rated lower compared to other California schools, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 7010 out of 9566 schools, placing it in the 27th percentile. Specifically, only 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 2% in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to helping its students develop and grow academically.

Located in a rural area near Twentynine Palms, Black Rock Alternative/Continuation benefits from a close-knit community that supports student learning and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 128 students, Black Rock Alternative/continuation 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 Black Rock Alternative/continuation 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.

Located in a rural area, Black Rock Alternative/continuation may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.3%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-41.6 pts
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,757

Black Rock Alternative/continuation — Students at Black Rock Alternative/continuation score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 2.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 12.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2024
ELA
14.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Black Rock Alternative/continuation Compares

See how Black Rock Alternative/continuation performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in CA
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Black Rock Alternative/continuation may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Desert Hot Springs High (rated 7.1/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Desert Hot Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Yucca Valley High (rated 6.0/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Twentynine Palms, see our Twentynine Palms schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.8 mi
School Distance Rating
La Contenta Middle Twenty Nine Palms 0.3 mi 6.3
Onaga Elementary Twentynine Palms 1.9 mi 3.7
Friendly Hills Elementary Twentynine Palms 2.1 mi 8.4
Kuhlman Academy Yucca Valley 2.7 mi
CUSTODIO HOME ACADEMY Yucca Valley 2.8 mi
Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley 3.1 mi
Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms 3.2 mi 6.0
Yucca Mesa Elementary Twentynine Palms 4.5 mi 5.7
Joshua Tree Elementary Twentynine Palms 4.3 mi 7.5
Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 4.6 mi 5.4
Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms 10.2 mi 6.4
Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs 13.2 mi 4.0
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs 13.0 mi 5.9
Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs 13.1 mi 6.5
Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs 13.6 mi 4.2
Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs 14.0 mi 7.1
Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs 14.4 mi 5.1
Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs 14.6 mi 5.2
Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 13.2 mi 5.1
Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs 14.8 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,515

Median Home Value

$224,300

Median Rent

$1,267/mo

Population

27,742

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

42.4%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

27.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Black Rock Alternative/continuation has a median household income of $55,515. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,300, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Angel's Gate (Continuation) San Pedro, CA 6.6
Apollo High San Jose, CA 6.6
Calla High Manteca, CA 6.6
Central Valley High (Continuation) Shafter, CA 6.6
Come Back Charter Merced, CA 6.6
Lone Pine High Lone Pine, CA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Black Rock Alternative/continuation

What grades does Black Rock Alternative/continuation serve?

Black Rock Alternative/continuation serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Black Rock Alternative/continuation?

Black Rock Alternative/continuation has an enrollment of approximately 128 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Black Rock Alternative/continuation?

The student-teacher ratio at Black Rock Alternative/continuation is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Black Rock Alternative/continuation rank in CA?

Black Rock Alternative/continuation is ranked #4203 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Black Rock Alternative/continuation's MySchoolScout rating?

Black Rock Alternative/continuation has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Black Rock Alternative/continuation?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black Rock Alternative/continuation has 2.5% math proficiency and 12.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Black Rock Alternative/continuation a charter school?

No, Black Rock Alternative/continuation is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Black Rock Alternative/continuation a Title I school?

No, Black Rock Alternative/continuation is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black Rock Alternative/continuation?

86.7% of students at Black Rock Alternative/continuation 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
Elevated (1,211/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.7%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Bernardino County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Morongo Unified
District Enrollment
7,359
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,247
District Rank
#4 of 16

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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