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Needs Improvement

#8982 of 9,539 schools in CA

Higher Learning Academy

School · Higher Learning Academy District

900 Grace Ave., Sacramento, CA 95838

Charter

Enrollment

539

Student-Teacher

25.7:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,982 of 9,539

In Sacramento

#173 of 198

public schools

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Higher Learning Academy

3.5/10

School in Sacramento · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Futures High

4.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Taylor Street Elementary

5.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Higher Learning Academy

Higher Learning Academy is a public school in Sacramento, CA, part of Higher Learning Academy District. Higher Learning Academy serves approximately 539 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 25.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Higher Learning Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,982 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Higher Learning Academy show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares2.8 pts below CA schools
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Higher Learning Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Higher Learning Academy runs 25.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Higher Learning Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.39 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-36.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,679
Chronic Absenteeism34.7%

Higher Learning Academy — Students at Higher Learning Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.9% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 23.0% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 24 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
8.5%
ELA
21.2%
2024
Math
8.7%
ELA
20.9%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Higher Learning Academy Compares

See how Higher Learning Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
6th percentile in CA
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

Location

900 Grace Ave., Sacramento, CA 95838

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Higher Learning Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Keema School for Independent Study (rated 7.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MORE LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 3.3/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, California Innovative Career Academy (rated 2.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Futures High Sacramento 0.0 mi 4.3
Taylor Street Elementary Sacramento 0.4 mi 5.2
Robla Elementary Sacramento 0.8 mi 4.1
6900 WEST 4TH STREET Sacramento 0.7 mi 3.6
Norwood Junior High Sacramento 0.6 mi 7.2
Paseo Grande Charter Lancaster 0.8 mi 2.4
Keema School for Independent Study Sacramento 0.9 mi 7.3
Main Avenue Elementary Sacramento 0.8 mi 4.2
MORE LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sacramento 1.0 mi 3.3
More Life Christian Academy Sacrament 1.0 mi
Highlands Community Charter Sacramento 1.1 mi 2.3
California Innovative Career Academy Sacramento 1.1 mi 2.5
New Hope Charter Sacramento 1.0 mi 7.6
Glenwood Elementary Sacramento 1.0 mi 4.8
Del Paso Heights Elementary Sacramento 1.2 mi 4.0
Grant Union High Sacramento 1.2 mi 6.7
Bell Avenue Elementary Sacramento 1.4 mi 5.7
Michael J. Castori Elementary Sacramento 1.7 mi 4.1
Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy Sacramento 1.9 mi 5.1
North Area Community Sacramento 1.6 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95838 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,969

Median Home Value

$369,000

Median Rent

$1,605/mo

Population

40,295

College Educated

14.4%

Homeownership

55.5%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

32.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fresno County Special Education Fresno, CA 3.5
Kings County Special Education Hanford, CA 3.4
California Connections Academy Monterey Bay Ripon, CA 3.3
Solano County Special Education Fairfield, CA 3.7
Imperial County Special Education El Centro, CA 3.2
Orange County Special Education Costa Mesa, CA 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Higher Learning Academy

What grades does Higher Learning Academy serve?

Higher Learning Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Higher Learning Academy?

Higher Learning Academy has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Higher Learning Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Higher Learning Academy is 25.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Higher Learning Academy rank in CA?

Higher Learning Academy ranks #8,982 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Higher Learning Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Higher Learning Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Higher Learning Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Higher Learning Academy has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

Is Higher Learning Academy a charter school?

Yes, Higher Learning Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Higher Learning Academy a Title I school?

No, Higher Learning Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Higher Learning Academy?

86.3% of students at Higher Learning Academy 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
29 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Sacramento County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

District

Higher Learning Academy District
District Enrollment
539
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,679
District Rank
#1 of 1

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