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Average

#3699 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 39% in state

Chico High

High School · Chico Unified

901 Esplanade, Chico, CA 95926

Enrollment

1,873

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chico

#14 of 31

public schools

California high schools

#698 of 1,892

In district

#10 of 20

Chico Unified

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Chico High

Chico High serves 1,873 students in grades 9-12 in Chico, California, operating as a comprehensive public high school with 83 full-time teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1. The school earns a solid 6.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 71st percentile statewide, placing it at #2751 among California's 9,566 schools. Academically, Chico High shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 67% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels.

Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 31% of students achieving proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 7.4 out of 10 reflects a commitment to student achievement with room for continued improvement, particularly in STEM areas. The school draws from a diverse community in the 95926 ZIP code, where the median household income is $60,932 and 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area has a median home value of $433,500, though nearly 26% of residents live below the poverty line, reflecting the economic diversity that characterizes many California communities. Located on Esplanade in the heart of Chico, this mid-size city school serves as an important educational anchor for families throughout Butte County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Chico High is 22.6:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.3%
Math vs. State Avg+3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,280

Chico High — Students at Chico High score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.4%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
40%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
78%
2024
Math
31%
ELA
67.3%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Chico High Compares

See how Chico High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers

Location

901 Esplanade, Chico, CA 95926

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chico High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Inspire School of Arts and Sciences (rated 7.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pivot Charter School North Valley II (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fair View High (Continuation) (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chico, see our Chico schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Inspire School of Arts and Sciences Chico 0.2 mi 7.4
Chico Junior High Chico 0.3 mi 6.2
Citrus Avenue Elementary Chico 0.4 mi 8.1
Notre Dame School Chico 0.7 mi
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Chico 0.7 mi 4.5
Butte County Community Chico 0.7 mi 6.8
Hooker Oak Elementary Chico 0.7 mi 7.4
Rosedale Elementary Chico 0.9 mi 6.2
Chico Country Day Chico 1.0 mi 4.2
Neal Dow Elementary Chico 1.2 mi 9.3
Wildflower Open Classroom Chico 1.6 mi 6.1
Pivot Charter School North Valley II Chico 1.2 mi 6.5
Bidwell Junior High Chico 1.6 mi 7.0
Proverbs 9:9 Academy Chico 1.4 mi
Emma Wilson Elementary Chico 1.4 mi 5.9
McManus (John A.) Elementary Chico 1.8 mi 7.6
Fair View High (Continuation) Chico 1.8 mi 6.5
Oakdale Chico 1.8 mi 4.1
Academy for Change Chico 1.8 mi
Center for Alternative Learning Chico 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95926 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,334

Median Home Value

$462,900

Median Rent

$1,418/mo

Population

42,143

College Educated

44.7%

Homeownership

42%

Avg Commute

17.1 min

Poverty Rate

25.5%

Median Age

27.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chico High has a median household income of $62,334. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,900, with a median rent of $1,418/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Aptos High Aptos, CA 6.8
Archie Williams High San Anselmo, CA 6.8
Buena Park High Buena Park, CA 6.8
Calabasas High Calabasas, CA 6.8
Carson Senior High Carson, CA 6.8
Cosumnes Oaks High Elk Grove, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chico High

What grades does Chico High serve?

Chico High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Chico High?

Chico High has an enrollment of approximately 1,873 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chico High?

The student-teacher ratio at Chico High is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chico High rank in CA?

Chico High is ranked #3699 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Chico High's MySchoolScout rating?

Chico High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Chico High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chico High has 35.3% math proficiency and 71.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chico High a charter school?

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

Is Chico High a Title I school?

No, Chico High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chico High?

55.7% of students at Chico 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

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Bike Score
82 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,612/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,873
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
83
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Butte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chico Unified
District Enrollment
12,317
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,423
District Rank
#10 of 20

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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