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Average

#7358 of 9,533 schools in CA

Desert Winds Continuation High

High School · Antelope Valley Union High

415 East Kettering St., Lancaster, CA 93535

Enrollment

623

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lancaster

#25 of 47

public schools

California high schools

#1,572 of 1,892

In district

#10 of 13

Antelope Valley Union High

About Desert Winds Continuation High

Desert Winds Continuation High in Lancaster, California is an alternative high school designed to support students who need a different educational setting. Serving grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 623 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.1:1, the school has 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Desert Winds Continuation High is situated in a large suburban area, offering a unique environment for its diverse population.

The academic performance at Desert Winds Continuation High reflects areas where the school focuses on student development and support rather than traditional test scores. With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.2 out of 10, the state ranking is #9149 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 4th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 1% in Math.

Desert Winds Continuation High provides a supportive learning environment for students who may benefit from an alternative approach to traditional high school settings, with a focus on personal growth and individualized support. The school is nestled in a bustling suburban area of Lancaster, offering its community a valuable educational resource tailored to the needs of each student.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Desert Winds Continuation High 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Winds Continuation High is 23.1:1, 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 Progress6.5Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.6%
Math vs. State Avg-27.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-48.3 pts
Overall Proficiency4%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-25.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,701

Desert Winds Continuation High — Students at Desert Winds Continuation High score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 0.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 10.4%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 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
0.5%
ELA
16%
2024
Math
0.7%
ELA
7.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Desert Winds Continuation High Compares

See how Desert Winds Continuation High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
23th percentile in CA
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

415 East Kettering St., Lancaster, CA 93535

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Winds Continuation High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Antelope Valley High (rated 7.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Phoenix High Community Day (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Linda Verde Elementary Lancaster 0.2 mi 6.0
Antelope Valley High Lancaster 0.4 mi 7.0
Piute Middle Lancaster 0.6 mi 5.4
El Dorado Elementary Lancaster 0.7 mi 3.6
Phoenix High Community Day Lancaster 0.7 mi 6.8
EMPOWERED CHURCH INTERNATIONAL/ LEARNING ACADEMY Lancaster 0.8 mi
League of Angels Learning Center Lancaster 0.9 mi
Seton, Inc. Lancaster 1.1 mi
Journey Int'l Cultural STEAM Academy Lancaster 1.2 mi
Life Source International Charter Lancaster 1.2 mi 5.8
Joshua Elementary Lancaster 1.4 mi 5.3
ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster 1.2 mi 3.3
ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster 1.2 mi 6.8
Antelope Valley Adventist School Lancaster 1.2 mi
GRACE LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lancaster 1.4 mi 6.9
Grace Lutheran Elementary Lancaster 1.4 mi
Discovery Lancaster 1.4 mi 5.5
RISE Lancaster 1.5 mi
The Leadership Academy Lancaster 1.5 mi 4.8
Promise Academy Lancster 1.6 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93535 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,989

Median Home Value

$336,200

Median Rent

$1,650/mo

Population

80,478

College Educated

14.2%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.6%

Median Age

31.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Winds Continuation High has a median household income of $65,989. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,200, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. 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
Alameda Community Learning Center Alameda, CA 5.1
Health Careers Academy Stockton, CA 5.1
Liberty High Madera, CA 5.1
MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 5.1
Opportunity Youth Academy San Jose, CA 5.1
ST PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Santa Fe Springs, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Winds Continuation High

What grades does Desert Winds Continuation High serve?

Desert Winds Continuation High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Desert Winds Continuation High?

Desert Winds Continuation High has an enrollment of approximately 623 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Winds Continuation High?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Winds Continuation High is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Winds Continuation High rank in CA?

Desert Winds Continuation High is ranked #7358 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Desert Winds Continuation High's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Winds Continuation High has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Desert Winds Continuation High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Winds Continuation High has 0.6% math proficiency and 10.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Winds Continuation High a charter school?

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

Is Desert Winds Continuation High a Title I school?

No, Desert Winds Continuation High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Winds Continuation High?

78.5% of students at Desert Winds Continuation 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

City Safety
High (2,788/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
623
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Antelope Valley Union High
District Enrollment
21,737
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,984
District Rank
#10 of 13

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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