Average
#5271 of 9,533 schools in CA
Foothill High
High School · East Side Union High
230 Pala Ave., San Jose, CA 95127
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
11th – 12th
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
11th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Jose
#122 of 223
public schools
California high schools
#1,116 of 1,892
In district
#12 of 16
East Side Union High
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Foothill High
Foothill High is an alternative high school located in San Jose, California. Serving students in grades 11 through 12, the school has a total enrollment of 295 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. Foothill High focuses on providing an alternative educational experience for its diverse student body, aiming to meet the unique needs of each learner.
The academic performance at Foothill High is currently ranked lower compared to other schools in California, placing it at #8112 out of 9566 high schools. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.3 out of 10, and its academic score stands at 1.3 out of 10. While proficiency rates are low—only 10% in ELA/reading and 7% in math—Foothill High continues to work diligently on fostering an environment that supports student development and growth.
Nestled within a large city setting, Foothill High is part of the bustling community of San Jose. Though specific neighborhood data isn't available, the school remains committed to serving its students in this vibrant urban area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Foothill 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Foothill High — Students at Foothill High score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.1/10.
How Foothill High Compares
See how Foothill High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 2.5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 12.24% (2024).
Location
230 Pala Ave., San Jose, CA 95127
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foothill High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. James Lick High (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Independence High (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Escuela Popular/Center for Training and Careers Family Lrng (rated 5.7/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Russo/McEntee Academy San Jose | 0.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Escuela Popular Accelerated Family Learning San Jose | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Escuela Popular/Center for Training and Careers Family Lrng San Jose | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| William Sheppard Middle San Jose | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| James Lick High San Jose | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Ben Painter Elementary San Jose | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Jose | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Rocketship Fuerza Community Prep Redwood City | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| STELLAR LEARNING ACADEMY San Jose | 0.8 mi | — |
| Millard McCollam Elementary San Jose | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Lyndale Elementary San Jose | 0.9 mi | 2.8 |
| MERRY HILLS SCHOOL San Jose | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Rocketship Si Se Puede Academy Redwood City | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Linda Vista Elementary San Jose | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Renaissance at Mathson San Jose | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Independence High San Jose | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Aptitud Community Academy at Goss San Jose | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| ACE Charter High San Jose | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Downtown College Prep - Alum Rock San Jose | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Pegasus High San Jose | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95127 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$120,548
Median Home Value
$995,100
Median Rent
$2,549/mo
Population
61,091
College Educated
26.6%
Homeownership
65.7%
Avg Commute
28.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foothill High has a median household income of $120,548. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $995,100, with a median rent of $2,549/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 6.1 |
| Burney Junior-Senior High Burney, CA | 6.1 |
| Discovery Charter Preparatory #2 Sylmar, CA | 6.1 |
| El Camino High (Continuation) La Mirada, CA | 6.1 |
| Greenwood Academy Richmond, CA | 6.1 |
| La Familia Continuation High Thermal, CA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Foothill High
What grades does Foothill High serve?
Foothill High serves students in grades 11th through 12th.
How many students attend Foothill High?
Foothill High has an enrollment of approximately 295 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foothill High?
The student-teacher ratio at Foothill High is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Foothill High rank in CA?
Foothill High is ranked #5271 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Foothill High's MySchoolScout rating?
Foothill High has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Foothill High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foothill High has 6.9% math proficiency and 10.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Foothill High a charter school?
No, Foothill High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Foothill High a Title I school?
No, Foothill High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foothill High?
69.8% of students at Foothill 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 (3,210/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Jose). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 11th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 295
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 928-9100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
East Side Union High- District Enrollment
- 20,471
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,654
- District Rank
- #12 of 16
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.