Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#9133 of 9,533 schools in CA

Live Oak Alternative

School · Live Oak Unified

2207 Pennington Rd., Live Oak, CA 95953

Enrollment

58

Student-Teacher

29:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Live Oak

#5 of 6

public schools

California schools

#454 of 475

In district

#5 of 5

Live Oak Unified

About Live Oak Alternative

Live Oak Alternative in Live Oak, California offers a unique educational environment for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 58 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 29 to 1, the school provides personalized attention that is often hard to find in larger institutions. The school's setting is in a small town on the edge of an urban area, offering both rural tranquility and easy access to city amenities.

Live Oak Alternative focuses on alternative educational methods tailored for diverse learning needs. While its MySchoolScout rating stands at 1.7 out of 10 with academic scores reflecting room for improvement—21% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 10% in Math—the school emphasizes student development beyond traditional metrics. Live Oak Alternative sits in a supportive community that values individual growth and alternative approaches to education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 58 students, Live Oak Alternative 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 Live Oak Alternative is 29:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.7%
Math vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39.2 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio29:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,534

Live Oak Alternative — Students at Live Oak Alternative score 10% 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

86.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
2.1%
ELA
19.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.

How Live Oak Alternative Compares

See how Live Oak Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
29:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

2207 Pennington Rd., Live Oak, CA 95953

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Live Oak Alternative may also want to explore other schools in the area. Tierra Buena Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Yuba City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Twin Rivers Charter (rated 8.4/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Yuba City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Luther Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Live Oak, see our Live Oak schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley Oak Continuation High Live Oak 0.0 mi
Live Oak High Live Oak 0.1 mi 5.8
Live Oak Middle Live Oak 0.1 mi 7.4
Luther Elementary Live Oak 0.7 mi 8.2
Encinal Elementary Live Oak 3.5 mi 6.8
Manzanita Elementary Gridley 4.0 mi 5.4
Sutter Peak Charter Academy Sacramento 6.3 mi 6.6
Nuestro Elementary Live Oak 6.3 mi 3.3
Wilson Elementary Gridley 6.3 mi 7.3
Gridley High Gridley 6.5 mi 7.5
McKinley Elementary Gridley 6.4 mi 6.9
Esperanza High (Continuation) Gridley 6.5 mi
Sycamore Middle Gridley 6.4 mi 6.5
FEATHER RIVER ADVENTIST SCHOOL Oroville 7.8 mi 7.4
Feather River Adventist Oroville 7.8 mi
Twin Rivers Charter Yuba City 7.9 mi 8.4
Butte Vista Elementary Yuba City 8.1 mi 7.7
Albert Powell Continuation Yuba City 8.0 mi 6.2
Tierra Buena Elementary Yuba City 8.5 mi 8.6
April Lane Elementary Yuba City 8.5 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95953 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,614

Median Home Value

$335,900

Median Rent

$793/mo

Population

10,945

College Educated

14.1%

Homeownership

68%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Live Oak Alternative has a median household income of $66,614. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,900, with a median rent of $793/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Guajome Learning Centers Vista, CA 3.7
HILLSVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMIC SCHOOL King City, CA 3.7
Silver Valley Academy Yermo, CA 3.8
Soledad Virtual Academy Soledad, CA 3.8
Freedom Home Madera, CA 3.6
Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy Rolling Hills, CA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Live Oak Alternative

What grades does Live Oak Alternative serve?

Live Oak Alternative serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Live Oak Alternative?

Live Oak Alternative has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Live Oak Alternative?

The student-teacher ratio at Live Oak Alternative is 29:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Live Oak Alternative rank in CA?

Live Oak Alternative is ranked #9133 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Live Oak Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?

Live Oak Alternative has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Live Oak Alternative?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Live Oak Alternative has 9.7% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Live Oak Alternative a charter school?

No, Live Oak Alternative is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Live Oak Alternative a Title I school?

No, Live Oak Alternative is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Live Oak Alternative?

86.2% of students at Live Oak Alternative 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

County Safety
Average (515/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher Ratio
29:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Sutter County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Live Oak Unified
District Enrollment
2,026
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,186
District Rank
#5 of 5

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.