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
Enrollment
623
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Winds Continuation High — Students at Desert Winds Continuation High score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 0.5% (2019) to 0.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 7.59% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (661) 948-7555
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Antelope Valley Union High- District Enrollment
- 21,737
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,984
- District Rank
- #10 of 13
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.
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