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
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Mesquite Continuation High — Students at Mesquite Continuation High score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 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: 3.9/10.
How Mesquite Continuation High Compares
See how Mesquite Continuation High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 4.65% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 13.64% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (760) 499-1810
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sierra Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,122
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,168
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
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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