Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#9370 of 9,533 schools in CA

Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center

School · Calaveras Unified

PO Box 178, San Andreas, CA 95249

Enrollment

108

Student-Teacher

27:1

Score

3.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Andreas

#5 of 5

public schools

California schools

#463 of 475

In district

#9 of 9

Calaveras Unified

About Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center

Calaveras Unified Alternative-Sierra Hills Education Center is an alternative school located in San Andreas, California, nestled in a rural setting. Serving kindergarten through 12th grade with an enrollment of 108 students, the school offers a unique educational environment tailored to diverse learning needs. The student-teacher ratio stands at 27:1, supported by four full-time equivalent teachers.

While Calaveras Unified Alternative-Sierra Hills Education Center ranks lower in academic performance compared to other schools in California, it focuses on providing support and development for each individual student. With only 18% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 8% proficient or above in Math, the school is working diligently to improve its educational outcomes. The rural setting around Sierra Hills Education Center provides a serene environment that can be conducive to learning, though it may also present challenges due to limited resources and community offerings.

This small, close-knit school community offers personalized attention and support for students navigating their educational journey in Calaveras County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 108 students, Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center is 27:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center 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 Progress1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5.87 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.8%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-38.1 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-32.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,544

Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center — Students at Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 18.2%
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.

2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
ELA
14.8%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center Compares

See how Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 178, San Andreas, CA 95249

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Argonaut High (rated 6.6/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Jackson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jenny Lind Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Valley Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jackson Junior High (rated 5.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Jackson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Andreas, see our San Andreas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Calaveras High San Andreas 0.0 mi 3.6
Gold Strike High San Andreas 0.0 mi 3.9
San Andreas Elementary San Andreas 0.4 mi 4.9
Mountain Oaks San Andreas 0.9 mi 4.2
Calaveras River Academy San Andreas 0.9 mi
Oakendell Community San Andreas 2.8 mi
Toyon Middle Valley Springs 4.0 mi 3.8
Mokelumne Hill Elementary Mokelumne Hill 6.9 mi 5.5
Valley Springs Elementary Valley Springs 8.1 mi 4.6
Rite of Passage Placerville 8.2 mi
Jackson Elementary Jackson 11.4 mi 3.5
Calaveras County Special Education (SELPA) Angels Camp 10.8 mi
Bret Harte Union High Altaville 11.0 mi 4.5
Vallecito Continuation High Angels Camp 11.0 mi 3.6
Amador County Special Education Jackson 11.7 mi
Jackson Junior High Jackson 11.7 mi 5.8
Mark Twain Elementary Angels Camp 11.3 mi 2.1
Learners Empowered Academic Progress (LEAP) Angels Camp 11.4 mi
Argonaut High Jackson 12.3 mi 6.6
Jenny Lind Elementary Valley Springs 10.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95249 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,864

Median Home Value

$409,000

Median Rent

$1,390/mo

Population

4,696

College Educated

22.8%

Homeownership

72.8%

Poverty Rate

32.3%

Median Age

57.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center has a median household income of $46,864. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $409,000, with a median rent of $1,390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
TALEGA PREPARATORY ACADEMY San Clemente, CA 3.3
OAKDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oakdale, CA 3.0
Richard H. Lewis Alternative Lower Lake, CA 3.0
Guajome Learning Centers Vista, CA 3.7
KOREAN SCHOOL OF SACRAMENTO Sacramento, CA 2.7
Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz, CA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center

What grades does Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center serve?

Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center?

Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center is 27:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center rank in CA?

Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center is ranked #9370 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center has 8.3% math proficiency and 18.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center a charter school?

No, Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center a Title I school?

No, Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center?

58.3% of students at Calaveras Unified Alternative-sierra Hills Education Center 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
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher Ratio
27:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Calaveras County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Calaveras Unified
District Enrollment
2,846
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,285
District Rank
#9 of 9

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.