Average
#7041 of 9,533 schools in CA
Horizons School: Independent Study
School · Mt. Diablo Unified
1 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pleasant Hill
#10 of 12
public schools
California schools
#308 of 475
In district
#27 of 47
Mt. Diablo Unified
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Horizons School: Independent Study
Horizons School: Independent Study is an alternative school nestled in the suburban community of Pleasant Hill, California. Spanning from kindergarten through twelfth grade, Horizons offers a unique educational experience with an enrollment of 216 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. The school’s approach focuses on providing personalized learning options for each student, making it stand out as a distinct choice in the local area.
Academically, Horizons School: Independent Study is currently ranked at #6204 out of 9566 schools statewide, placing it in the 35th percentile. The school’s MySchoolScout rating reflects its ongoing efforts to improve academic performance with a score of 4.5/10 and an academic score of 4.6/10. While proficiency rates are lower at 44% for ELA/Reading and 32% for Math, Horizons emphasizes student development through independent study methods tailored to individual needs.
Horizons School: Independent Study is situated in a large suburban area with access to local resources and community amenities that support its educational mission. The school's setting provides students with both the stability of a traditional neighborhood and the flexibility required for alternative learning environments.
Score Breakdown
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Horizons School: Independent Study — Students at Horizons School: Independent Study score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 1.3/10.
How Horizons School: Independent Study Compares
See how Horizons School: Independent Study performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 26.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 34.82% (2024).
Location
1 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Horizons School: Independent Study may also want to explore other schools in the area. PLEASANT HILL ADVENTIST ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CONTRA COSTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Walnut Creek), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WELLSPRING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Walnut Creek), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pleasant Hill, see our Pleasant Hill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill Middle Pleasant Hill | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Prospect High (Continuation) Pleasant Hill | 0.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Sequoia Elementary Pleasant Hill | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Sequoia Middle Pleasant Hill | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| WELLSPRING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC Walnut Creek | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Wellspring Educational Services Inc Walnut Creek | 0.6 mi | — |
| Fusion Academy Walnut Creek Walnut Creek | 0.7 mi | — |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pleasant Hill | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Christ the King Elementary Pleasant Hill | 0.9 mi | — |
| Strandwood Elementary Pleasant Hill | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary Pleasant Hill | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Fair Oaks Elementary Pleasant Hill | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Contra Costa Christian Schools Walnut Creek | 1.2 mi | — |
| Grayson Creek Academy Pleasant Hill | 1.1 mi | — |
| CONTRA COSTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Walnut Creek | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Sonder Creek Academy Walnut Creek | 1.3 mi | — |
| Gregory Gardens Elementary Pleasant Hill | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| The Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | 1.4 mi | — |
| SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL Walnut Creek | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| PLEASANT HILL ADVENTIST ACADEMY Pleasant Hill | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,622
Median Home Value
$1,038,400
Median Rent
$2,479/mo
Population
34,789
College Educated
55.9%
Homeownership
63.5%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
42.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Horizons School: Independent Study has a median household income of $142,622. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,038,400, with a median rent of $2,479/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Century Academy Thousand Oaks, CA | 5.3 |
| Insight @ San Joaquin Simi Valley, CA | 5.3 |
| MONTEREY BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seaside, CA | 5.3 |
| Monterey County Home Charter Salinas, CA | 5.3 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Olivehurst, CA | 5.3 |
| KOLBE ACADEMY & TRINITY PREP Napa, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Horizons School: Independent Study
What grades does Horizons School: Independent Study serve?
Horizons School: Independent Study serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Horizons School: Independent Study?
Horizons School: Independent Study has an enrollment of approximately 216 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Horizons School: Independent Study?
The student-teacher ratio at Horizons School: Independent Study is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Horizons School: Independent Study rank in CA?
Horizons School: Independent Study is ranked #7041 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Horizons School: Independent Study's MySchoolScout rating?
Horizons School: Independent Study has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Horizons School: Independent Study?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizons School: Independent Study has 31.6% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Horizons School: Independent Study a charter school?
No, Horizons School: Independent Study is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Horizons School: Independent Study a Title I school?
No, Horizons School: Independent Study is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horizons School: Independent Study?
39.4% of students at Horizons School: 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 (4,270/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pleasant Hill). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 216
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.4%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (925) 682-8000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mt. Diablo Unified- District Enrollment
- 29,356
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,421
- District Rank
- #27 of 47
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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