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Excellent

#1245 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 13% in state

Colfax High

High School · Placer Union High

24995 Ben Taylor Rd., Colfax, CA 95713

Enrollment

628

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colfax

#1 of 2

public schools

California high schools

#206 of 1,892

In district

#1 of 6

Placer Union High

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Colfax High

Colfax High serves 628 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Colfax, California. This public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a solid educational foundation in Placer County. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking #1396 among California's 9,566 schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.

Students show particularly strong literacy skills, with 68% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading. Mathematics performance reaches 50% proficiency, indicating ongoing opportunities for growth in STEM subjects. Colfax High's academic success reflects its supportive community environment.

The surrounding area has a median household income of $98,558 and a relatively low poverty rate of 8.5%. Nearly one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused atmosphere that benefits students. The median home value of $484,600 speaks to the area's desirability and stability.

Located on Ben Taylor Road, Colfax High operates in California's scenic Sierra Nevada foothills, where the rural setting provides students with a close-knit learning environment while maintaining access to quality educational opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Colfax High is 20.9:1, 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, Colfax 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 Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.3%
Math vs. State Avg+21.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.4 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness9.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.7%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,790

Colfax High — Students at Colfax High score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 68.9%
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
42%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
49.7%
ELA
68.4%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Colfax High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
5.7% participation·135 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

24995 Ben Taylor Rd., Colfax, CA 95713

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colfax High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bitney Prep High (rated 8.3/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), with a very similar rating. Another option is WEIMAR ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Weimar), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Silver Springs High (Continuation) (rated 6.7/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Colfax, see our Colfax schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Colfax Elementary Colfax 0.3 mi 3.4
Chicago Park Elementary Grass Valley 2.6 mi 6.8
Chicago Park Community Charter Grass Valley 2.6 mi 8.1
Weimar Hills Weimar 4.4 mi 5.6
WEIMAR ACADEMY Weimar 5.1 mi 7.2
Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley 4.2 mi 6.1
LIVE OAK WALDORF SCHOOL Meadow Vista 6.8 mi 6.3
Live Oak Waldorf School Meadow Vista 6.8 mi
Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley 6.7 mi 6.2
Magnolia Intermediate Grass Valley 6.8 mi 7.4
Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley 7.7 mi 6.7
Union Hill Middle Grass Valley 7.7 mi 7.5
Bear River High Grass Valley 7.3 mi 5.4
Forest Lake Christian School Auburn 7.8 mi
Sierra Hills Elementary Meadow Vista 8.8 mi 5.9
Christian Encounter High School Grass Valley 7.3 mi
CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTER HIGH SCHOOL Grass Valley 7.3 mi
Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley 8.8 mi 6.7
Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley 9.0 mi 6.7
Bitney Prep High Grass Valley 9.5 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,329

Median Home Value

$480,200

Median Rent

$1,520/mo

Population

10,471

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

79.6%

Avg Commute

33.8 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

45.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Colfax High has a median household income of $91,329. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $480,200, with a median rent of $1,520/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Academy of Medical Arts at Carson High Carson, CA 8.1
Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High Huntington Park, CA 8.1
Alliance Patti And Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy Los Angeles, CA 8.1
Rancho Campana High Camarillo, CA 8.1
San Diego Virtual San Diego, CA 8.1
Animo Jackie Robinson High Los Angeles, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colfax High

What grades does Colfax High serve?

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

How many students attend Colfax High?

Colfax High has an enrollment of approximately 628 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colfax High?

The student-teacher ratio at Colfax High is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colfax High rank in CA?

Colfax High is ranked #1245 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Colfax High's MySchoolScout rating?

Colfax High has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Colfax High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colfax High has 44.6% math proficiency and 68.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Colfax High a charter school?

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

Is Colfax High a Title I school?

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

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

25.3% of students at Colfax 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (296/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
628
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Placer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Placer Union High
District Enrollment
3,975
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,479
District Rank
#1 of 6

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

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