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Very Good

#3312 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 35% in state

John J. Cairns Continuation

High School · Lindsay Unified

290 North Harvard Ave., Lindsay, CA 93247

Enrollment

72

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lindsay

#3 of 9

public schools

California high schools

#623 of 1,892

In district

#3 of 9

Lindsay Unified

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About John J. Cairns Continuation

John J. Cairns Continuation is an alternative high school located in Lindsay, California, on the edge of a small town near an urban area. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has a student body of 72 and maintains a favorable teacher-student ratio of 10.3:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers.

While John J. Cairns Continuation may not excel in state academic rankings or scores—holding a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranking at #6494 out of 9566 schools in California—it focuses on providing individualized support to its students. The school’s ELA proficiency rate stands at 19% across all grades, while math proficiency is lower at just 6%.

These scores suggest that the school has room for academic growth and emphasizes student development outside traditional metrics. John J. Cairns Continuation is situated in a supportive community setting where it works to provide tailored educational opportunities for its students, offering them a second chance or an alternative path to their education goals.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 72 students, John J. Cairns Continuation 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.

While current test scores at John J. Cairns Continuation 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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.3%
Math vs. State Avg-24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.6 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,396

John J. Cairns Continuation — Students at John J. Cairns Continuation score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 5.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 18.9%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
3.5%
ELA
23.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How John J. Cairns Continuation Compares

See how John J. Cairns Continuation performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CA
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

290 North Harvard Ave., Lindsay, CA 93247

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John J. Cairns Continuation may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kaweah High (rated 8.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Exeter), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harmony Magnet Academy (rated 7.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Porterville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Exeter Union High (rated 6.1/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Exeter), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lindsay, see our Lindsay schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Loma Vista Charter Lindsay 0.0 mi 3.1
Lindsay Community Day Lindsay 0.0 mi
Reagan Elementary Lindsay 0.1 mi 5.1
Washington Elementary Lindsay 0.2 mi 7.4
Lincoln Elementary Lindsay 0.5 mi 6.7
Kennedy Elementary Lindsay 0.7 mi 7.6
Lindsay Senior High Lindsay 0.9 mi 5.6
Roosevelt Elementary Lindsay 1.1 mi 5.9
Jefferson Elementary Lindsay 1.1 mi 5.6
Sunnyside Elementary Strathmore 4.2 mi 5.1
Strathmore Elementary Strathmore 4.2 mi 5.6
Strathmore High Porterville 4.4 mi 4.8
Sierra View Junior Academy Exeter 4.1 mi
SIERRA VIEW JR ACADEMY Exeter 4.1 mi 6.7
Harmony Magnet Academy Porterville 4.5 mi 7.5
Kaweah High Exeter 6.8 mi 8.2
Exeter Independent Study (Alternative) Exeter 6.8 mi 4.3
Lincoln Elementary Exeter 6.7 mi 7.2
Exeter Union High Exeter 7.0 mi 6.1
Exeter Community Day Exeter 7.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93247 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,460

Median Home Value

$271,700

Median Rent

$957/mo

Population

17,967

College Educated

7.5%

Homeownership

55.3%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

32.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding John J. Cairns Continuation has a median household income of $55,460. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $271,700, with a median rent of $957/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara, CA 7.0
Chaparral High (Continuation) San Dimas, CA 7.0
FUSION ACADEMY SLB: SOLANA BEACH Solana Beach, CA 7.0
LITTLET CITIZEN WESTSIDE ACD Los Angeles, CA 7.0
Ridgeview High (Continuation) Paradise, CA 7.0
Simon Rodia Continuation South Gate, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John J. Cairns Continuation

What grades does John J. Cairns Continuation serve?

John J. Cairns Continuation serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend John J. Cairns Continuation?

John J. Cairns Continuation has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John J. Cairns Continuation?

The student-teacher ratio at John J. Cairns Continuation is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John J. Cairns Continuation rank in CA?

John J. Cairns Continuation is ranked #3312 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is John J. Cairns Continuation's MySchoolScout rating?

John J. Cairns Continuation has a composite rating of 7.0 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 John J. Cairns Continuation?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John J. Cairns Continuation has 5.6% math proficiency and 18.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John J. Cairns Continuation a charter school?

No, John J. Cairns Continuation is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John J. Cairns Continuation a Title I school?

No, John J. Cairns Continuation is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John J. Cairns Continuation?

87.5% of students at John J. Cairns Continuation 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

City Safety
High (1,928/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lindsay). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Tulare County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lindsay Unified
District Enrollment
3,987
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,319
District Rank
#3 of 9

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 methodology

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