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Very Good

#1453 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 15% in state

Julian Charter

School · Julian Charter District

PO Box 2470, Julian, CA 92036

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

206

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Julian

#1 of 6

public schools

California schools

#15 of 475

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Julian Charter

Julian Charter serves 206 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in the picturesque mountain community of Julian, California. This public charter school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #1868 out of 9,566 California schools.

Students show steady achievement with 50% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 44% meeting standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education in a smaller school setting. Julian Charter serves a community where the median household income is $72,500 and about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.3%, with median home values around $537,700, indicating a stable residential community. Located in rural San Diego County, Julian Charter benefits from its unique mountain setting in a historic town known for its apple orchards and small-town charm, providing students with a distinctive educational experience away from urban distractions.

What Parents Should Know

Julian Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Julian Charter 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.

Julian Charter is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.5%
Math vs. State Avg+8.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,718

Julian Charter — Students at Julian Charter score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
33.1%
ELA Proficiency 48.6%
School
State
48.3%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2024
Math
43.5%
ELA
49.9%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Julian Charter Compares

See how Julian Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

PO Box 2470, Julian, CA 92036

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Julian Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. JCS - Pine Valley (rated 6.0/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Valley), a more accessible option. Additionally, Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy (rated 3.9/10, in nearby Palm Springs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Julian, see our Julian schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy Palm Springs 0.0 mi 3.9
Julian Elementary Julian 0.0 mi 6.8
Julian Junior High Julian 0.0 mi 6.2
Julian High Julian 0.1 mi 6.9
Spencer Valley Elementary Santa Ysabel 3.2 mi 5.1
Ramona Faith Academy Ramona 11.2 mi
Warner Junior/Senior High Warner Springs 13.8 mi 7.6
Warner Elementary Warner Springs 13.8 mi 5.3
James Dukes Elementary Ramona 12.4 mi 8.5
Descanso Elementary Descanso 15.2 mi 6.9
Barnett Elementary Ramona 13.2 mi 3.1
Thomsen Learning Center Ramona 15.2 mi
JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley 18.2 mi 6.0
Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley 18.3 mi
Hillside Junior/Senior High Pine Valley 18.3 mi 4.5
Montecito High (Continuation) Ramona 15.8 mi 5.7
Future Bound Independent Study Secondary Ramona 15.8 mi 2.9
Montessori Children's Elementary Ramona 15.8 mi
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ELEMENTARY Ramona 15.8 mi 6.3
Ramona Elementary Ramona 15.9 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92036 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,875

Median Home Value

$544,700

Median Rent

$1,938/mo

Population

3,128

College Educated

36.8%

Homeownership

86.7%

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

53.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Julian Charter has a median household income of $71,875. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $544,700, with a median rent of $1,938/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ESCONDIDO ADVENTIST ACADEMY Escondido, CA 7.9
HIGHLAND HALL WALDORF SCHOOL Northridge, CA 7.9
VICTOR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Victorville, CA 7.9
FRESNO ADVENTIST ACADEMY Fresno, CA 8.0
JCS - Manzanita La Mesa, CA 7.8
ROLLING HILLS PREPARATORY San Pedro, CA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Julian Charter

What grades does Julian Charter serve?

Julian Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Julian Charter?

Julian Charter has an enrollment of approximately 206 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Julian Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Julian Charter is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Julian Charter rank in CA?

Julian Charter is ranked #1453 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Julian Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Julian Charter has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Julian Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Julian Charter has 40.0% math proficiency and 48.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Julian Charter a charter school?

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

Is Julian Charter a Title I school?

No, Julian Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Julian Charter?

45.1% of students at Julian Charter 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (114/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
206
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Julian Charter District
District Enrollment
206
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,571
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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