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Below Average

#7802 of 9,533 schools in CA

Mesquite Continuation High

High School · Sierra Sands Unified

140 West Drummond, Ridgecrest, CA 93555

Enrollment

103

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ridgecrest

#5 of 10

public schools

California high schools

#1,651 of 1,892

In district

#5 of 10

Sierra Sands Unified

About Mesquite Continuation High

Mesquite Continuation High in Ridgecrest, California, is an alternative high school serving students from ninth to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 103 students and a student-teacher ratio of about 20.6:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for its diverse student body. The dedicated staff includes five full-time equivalent teachers who focus on helping each student achieve their educational goals in a supportive environment.

Despite having lower academic scores compared to other schools in California, Mesquite Continuation High emphasizes individual growth and development. In reading and math proficiency tests, the school has room for improvement, with 18% of students meeting or exceeding ELA/reading standards and only 6% proficient in math. The school's setting in a remote town like Ridgecrest means that it plays an important role as a resource for local youth, providing tailored educational opportunities to help them succeed.

Mesquite Continuation High is situated in the heart of Ridgecrest, offering students a unique community experience within a small, close-knit town.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 103 students, Mesquite Continuation 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 Mesquite Continuation High is 20.6:1, 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 Progress3.9Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13.6%
Math vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.3 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,502

Mesquite Continuation High — Students at Mesquite Continuation High score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 18.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2024
Math
4.7%
ELA
13.6%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Mesquite Continuation High Compares

See how Mesquite Continuation High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in CA
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

140 West Drummond, Ridgecrest, CA 93555

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mesquite Continuation High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST ANN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richmond Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ridgecrest, see our Ridgecrest schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgecrest 0.1 mi 5.9
Ridgecrest Montessori Children's House Ridgecrest 0.4 mi
Richmond Elementary Ridgecrest 0.5 mi 6.1
IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ridgecrest 0.6 mi 7.0
Murray Middle Ridgecrest 0.6 mi 3.9
St. Thomas Ridgecrest 0.8 mi
Burroughs High Ridgecrest 0.7 mi 4.2
RIDGECREST ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ridgecrest 0.8 mi
Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary Ridgecrest 0.8 mi
Las Flores Elementary Ridgecrest 0.9 mi 5.2
Pierce Elementary Ridgecrest 1.0 mi 3.7
Long Point Academy Ridgecrest 1.0 mi
HERITAGE MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ridgecrest 1.1 mi
James Monroe Middle Ridgecrest 1.3 mi 5.9
St. Ann Ridgecrest 1.4 mi
ST ANN SCHOOL Ridgecrest 1.4 mi 7.2
Balas Montessori Home School Ridgecrest 1.7 mi
Ridgecrest Elem Acad for Language Music and Sci Ridgecrest 1.7 mi 5.2
Gateway Elementary Ridgecrest 2.0 mi 4.5
Faller Elementary Ridgecrest 2.4 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93555 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,141

Median Home Value

$235,400

Median Rent

$1,180/mo

Population

33,629

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

62.7%

Avg Commute

16.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mesquite Continuation High has a median household income of $84,141. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Independence High (Alternative) Merced, CA 4.9
Mt. Tallac High South Lake Tahoe, CA 4.9
Prospect High (Continuation) Oroville, CA 4.9
Salinas Community Salinas, CA 4.9
Boyle Heights Continuation Los Angeles, CA 5.0
Geyserville New Tech Academy Geyserville, CA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mesquite Continuation High

What grades does Mesquite Continuation High serve?

Mesquite Continuation High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mesquite Continuation High?

Mesquite Continuation High has an enrollment of approximately 103 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mesquite Continuation High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mesquite Continuation High is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mesquite Continuation High rank in CA?

Mesquite Continuation High is ranked #7802 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mesquite Continuation High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mesquite Continuation High has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Mesquite Continuation High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mesquite Continuation High has 6.1% math proficiency and 18.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mesquite Continuation High a charter school?

No, Mesquite Continuation High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mesquite Continuation High a Title I school?

No, Mesquite Continuation High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mesquite Continuation High?

82.5% of students at Mesquite Continuation 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,757/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Town
County
Kern County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sierra Sands Unified
District Enrollment
5,122
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,168
District Rank
#5 of 10

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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