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Below Average

#8305 of 9,533 schools in CA

Bret Harte Union High

High School · Bret Harte Union High

PO Box 208, Altaville, CA 95221

Enrollment

566

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California high schools

#1,747 of 1,892

In district

#1 of 2

Bret Harte Union High

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Bret Harte Union High

Bret Harte Union High in Altaville, California serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with a student body of 566. The school has a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 and employs 33 full-time teachers. Situated in a rural setting in Calaveras County, Bret Harte Union High focuses on providing a nurturing environment where students can develop both academically and personally.

While the MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.7 out of 10, indicating room for improvement, Bret Harte Union High aims to support its students' growth. In terms of academic performance, 62% of students are proficient in English Language Arts or reading, while 23% show proficiency in math. These scores suggest that the school is working diligently on strengthening its curriculum and educational methods.

Bret Harte Union High stands as an integral part of the Altaville community, offering a supportive atmosphere for students to thrive in their rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Bret Harte Union High 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 Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.1%
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,235

Bret Harte Union High — Students at Bret Harte Union High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 62.4%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
13.4%
ELA
55.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.3/10.

How Bret Harte Union High Compares

See how Bret Harte Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in CA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

PO Box 208, Altaville, CA 95221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bret Harte Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gold Strike High (rated 3.9/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby San Andreas), with a comparable rating. Another option is Vallecito Continuation High (rated 3.6/10, in nearby Angels Camp), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Calaveras High (rated 3.6/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby San Andreas), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Altaville, see our Altaville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Vallecito Continuation High Angels Camp 0.0 mi 3.6
Calaveras County Special Education (SELPA) Angels Camp 0.2 mi
Mark Twain Elementary Angels Camp 0.3 mi 2.1
Learners Empowered Academic Progress (LEAP) Angels Camp 0.5 mi
Libertas Academy -a Christian Family Learning Center Angels Camp 3.1 mi
Rite of Passage Placerville 6.5 mi
Albert A. Michelson Elementary Avery 6.5 mi 8.7
Copperopolis Elementary Copperopolis 8.3 mi 4.0
Sierra Waldorf School Jamestown 9.6 mi
SIERRA WALDORF SCHOOL Jamestown 9.6 mi 5.1
Columbia Elementary Columbia 8.6 mi 7.2
San Andreas Elementary San Andreas 10.7 mi 4.9
Mountain Oaks San Andreas 10.7 mi 4.2
Calaveras River Academy San Andreas 10.7 mi
Calaveras High San Andreas 11.0 mi 3.6
Gold Strike High San Andreas 11.0 mi 3.9
Calaveras Unified Alternative-Sierra Hills Education Center San Andreas 11.0 mi 3.2
Jamestown Elementary Jamestown 11.3 mi 7.2
Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy Sonora 10.9 mi
MOTHER LODE ADVENTIST JR ACADEMY Sonora 10.9 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Population

164

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

3.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 3 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
California City High California City, CA 4.5
Desert Junior-Senior High Edwards, CA 4.5
R. Rex Parris High Palmdale, CA 4.5
Academies of the Antelope Valley Quartz Hill, CA 4.6
Aspire Golden State College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA 4.4
Aspire Vanguard College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bret Harte Union High

What grades does Bret Harte Union High serve?

Bret Harte Union High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bret Harte Union High?

Bret Harte Union High has an enrollment of approximately 566 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bret Harte Union High?

The student-teacher ratio at Bret Harte Union High is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bret Harte Union High rank in CA?

Bret Harte Union High is ranked #8305 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Bret Harte Union High's MySchoolScout rating?

Bret Harte Union High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Bret Harte Union High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bret Harte Union High has 22.9% math proficiency and 62.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bret Harte Union High a charter school?

No, Bret Harte Union High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bret Harte Union High a Title I school?

No, Bret Harte Union High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bret Harte Union High?

49.1% of students at Bret Harte Union High 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

County Safety
Elevated (1,270/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
566
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Calaveras County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bret Harte Union High
District Enrollment
627
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,815
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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