Average
#4428 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 46% in state
Duane E. Furman Independent Study
School · Madera Unified
955 West Pecan Ave., Madera, CA 93637
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Madera
#14 of 41
public schools
California schools
#130 of 475
In district
#11 of 27
Madera Unified
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Duane E. Furman Independent Study
Duane E. Furman Independent Study is an alternative school located in Madera, California, serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. With a total enrollment of 348 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1, the school provides personalized education with 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting each learner’s unique needs.
The academic performance at Duane E. Furman Independent Study reflects a focus on individualized learning rather than traditional test scores, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #7506 among California schools, which places it in the 22nd percentile. Students demonstrate proficiency rates of 27% in English Language Arts/Reading and 8% in Math across all grades.
Duane E. Furman Independent Study is situated in a small suburban area where students can benefit from a close-knit community atmosphere. While the school's test scores show room for improvement, it offers an alternative approach to education that emphasizes personalized learning and individual growth.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Duane E. Furman Independent Study 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Duane E. Furman Independent Study — Students at Duane E. Furman Independent Study score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 7.0/10.
How Duane E. Furman Independent Study Compares
See how Duane E. Furman Independent Study performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 8.24% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 27.62% (2024).
Location
955 West Pecan Ave., Madera, CA 93637
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Duane E. Furman Independent Study may also want to explore other schools in the area. Pioneer Technical Center (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Gould Educational Center (rated 6.1/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Madera County Independent Academy (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madera, see our Madera schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Madera Unified Adult Transition Program Madera | 0.1 mi | — |
| Madera South High Madera | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Alpha Elementary Madera | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| REMNANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madera | 0.7 mi | — |
| James Madison Elementary Madera | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Madera High Madera | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Gould Educational Center Madera | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| St. Joachim Elementary Madera | 1.5 mi | — |
| John Adams Elementary Madera | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| ST JOACHIM SCHOOL Madera | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Madera | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Parkwood Elementary Madera | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Sierra Vista Elementary Madera | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| George Washington Elementary Madera | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Madera | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Madera County Independent Academy Madera | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Virginia Lee Rose Elementary Madera | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Juvenile Hall (Endeavor/Voyager Secondary) Madera | 2.1 mi | — |
| Pioneer Technical Center Madera | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary Madera | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93637 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,621
Median Home Value
$369,200
Median Rent
$1,345/mo
Population
42,278
College Educated
13.3%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
20%
Median Age
33
Community Profile
The community surrounding Duane E. Furman Independent Study has a median household income of $74,621. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,200, with a median rent of $1,345/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Advanced Learning Academy Santa Ana, CA | 6.5 |
| Diego Hills Central Public Charter San Diego, CA | 6.5 |
| Kern County Community Bakersfield, CA | 6.5 |
| Orange County Special Education Costa Mesa, CA | 6.5 |
| SOUTHLANDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Rowland Heights, CA | 6.5 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced, CA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Duane E. Furman Independent Study
What grades does Duane E. Furman Independent Study serve?
Duane E. Furman Independent Study serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Duane E. Furman Independent Study?
Duane E. Furman Independent Study has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Duane E. Furman Independent Study?
The student-teacher ratio at Duane E. Furman Independent Study is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Duane E. Furman Independent Study rank in CA?
Duane E. Furman Independent Study is ranked #4428 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Duane E. Furman Independent Study's MySchoolScout rating?
Duane E. Furman Independent Study has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Duane E. Furman Independent Study?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Duane E. Furman Independent Study has 7.6% math proficiency and 26.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Duane E. Furman Independent Study a charter school?
No, Duane E. Furman Independent Study is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Duane E. Furman Independent Study a Title I school?
No, Duane E. Furman Independent Study is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Duane E. Furman Independent Study?
92.8% of students at Duane E. Furman Independent Study 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 (1,647/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madera). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 348
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Madera County
- Phone
- (559) 675-4482
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madera Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,142
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,565
- District Rank
- #11 of 27
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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