Below Average
#8354 of 9,533 schools in CA
Hillside Junior/senior High
High School · Mountain Empire Unified
PO Box 571, Pine Valley, CA 91962
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pine Valley
#4 of 4
public schools
California high schools
#1,758 of 1,892
In district
#5 of 7
Mountain Empire Unified
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Hillside Junior/senior High
Hillside Junior/Senior High is an alternative school located in Pine Valley, California, in the rural San Diego County. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade with a total enrollment of 41 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1, staffed by two full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Hillside Junior/Senior High is currently rated lower on MySchoolScout, reflecting a need for improvement in both ELA/Reading (where 23% of students are proficient or above) and Math (with only 5% reaching proficiency).
The school’s state ranking stands at #9378 out of 9566 schools in California, indicating there is room for academic growth. Despite the challenges, Hillside Junior/Senior High offers a unique setting that focuses on individualized attention and support for its students. Its rural location provides a close-knit community feel, where teachers can give extra care to each student's development and needs.
The school’s small size allows for personalized learning experiences and strong relationships between faculty and students. Hillside Junior/Senior High is situated in the heart of Pine Valley, surrounded by the serene beauty of rural San Diego County.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 41 students, Hillside Junior/senior High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Junior/senior High is 20.5:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Hillside Junior/senior High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Hillside Junior/senior High — Students at Hillside Junior/senior High score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.7/10.
How Hillside Junior/senior High Compares
See how Hillside Junior/senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2021) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2021) to 15.38% (2024).
Location
PO Box 571, Pine Valley, CA 91962
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillside Junior/senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Julian High (rated 6.9/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Julian), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mountain Empire High (rated 5.7/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pine Valley, see our Pine Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley | 0.0 mi | — |
| JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Mountain Empire High Pine Valley | 6.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley | 6.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Descanso Elementary Descanso | 5.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Campo Elementary Campo | 12.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Risen K=12 Campo | 14.5 mi | — |
| Potrero Elementary Potrero | 15.3 mi | 4.8 |
| The Heights Charter Alpine | 13.3 mi | 6.1 |
| HIGHLEVEL LLC San Diego | 14.9 mi | — |
| Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine | 14.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Alpine Farm Academy Alpine | 14.5 mi | — |
| Boulder Oaks Elementary Alpine | 14.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Tecate Christian Tecate | 17.8 mi | — |
| Julian High Julian | 18.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Julian Charter Julian | 18.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy Palm Springs | 18.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Julian Elementary Julian | 18.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Julian Junior High Julian | 18.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Clover Flat Elementary Boulevard | 17.1 mi | 2.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91962 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,270
Median Home Value
$496,800
Median Rent
$2,222/mo
Population
2,457
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
92.6%
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
57.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillside Junior/senior High has a median household income of $140,270. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $496,800, with a median rent of $2,222/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Henry David Thoreau Continuation Woodland Hills, CA | 4.5 |
| Olympic High (Continuation) Santa Monica, CA | 4.5 |
| Bravo Lake High Woodlake, CA | 4.4 |
| Dan M. Issacs Avalon High Wilmington, CA | 4.6 |
| Deep Creek Academy Farmersville, CA | 4.6 |
| Independence Continuation High Madera, CA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillside Junior/senior High
What grades does Hillside Junior/senior High serve?
Hillside Junior/senior High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Hillside Junior/senior High?
Hillside Junior/senior High has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Junior/senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Junior/senior High is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillside Junior/senior High rank in CA?
Hillside Junior/senior High is ranked #8354 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Hillside Junior/senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillside Junior/senior High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Hillside Junior/senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillside Junior/senior High has 5.0% math proficiency and 22.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hillside Junior/senior High a charter school?
No, Hillside Junior/senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillside Junior/senior High a Title I school?
No, Hillside Junior/senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillside Junior/senior High?
80.5% of students at Hillside Junior/senior 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
- County Safety
- Low (114/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 41
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.5%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 473-8693
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mountain Empire Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,871
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,531
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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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