Average
#7173 of 9,533 schools in CA
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy
High School · Central Union High
2345 South Second St., EL Centro, CA 92243
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Centro
#17 of 21
public schools
California high schools
#1,535 of 1,892
In district
#4 of 4
Central Union High
About Mt. Signal Virtual Academy
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy is an alternative high school located in El Centro, California, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 71 students and a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1, the school offers personalized learning opportunities with three full-time equivalent teachers.
The school's setting in a small city like El Centro allows for a close-knit community atmosphere. Academically, Mt. Signal Virtual Academy has received a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks 9053rd out of 9566 schools in California, indicating there is room for improvement in academic performance.
In terms of proficiency rates, only 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while a mere 7% demonstrate proficiency in Math. The school continues to focus on student development and provides resources tailored to meet the diverse needs of its learners. Mt.
Signal Virtual Academy is situated in El Centro, offering students access to local amenities and community support within a small city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 71 students, Mt. Signal Virtual Academy 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 Mt. Signal Virtual Academy is 23.7:1, 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.
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy 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
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy — Students at Mt. Signal Virtual Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
How Mt. Signal Virtual Academy Compares
See how Mt. Signal Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2345 South Second St., EL Centro, CA 92243
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mt. Signal Virtual Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central Union High (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Imperial Pathways Charter (rated 6.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Desert Oasis High (Continuation) (rated 5.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in EL Centro, see our EL Centro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Oasis High (Continuation) El Centro | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Phoenix Rising High El Centro | 0.6 mi | — |
| Valley Academy El Centro | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Desert Garden Elementary El Centro | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Harding Elementary El Centro | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Christian Home Academy El Centro | 1.1 mi | — |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Central Union High El Centro | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilson Jr. High El Centro | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Imperial County Special Education El Centro | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Imperial County Juvenile Hall/Community El Centro | 1.8 mi | — |
| Imperial Pathways Charter El Centro | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| De Anza Magnet El Centro | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary El Centro | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Kennedy Middle El Centro | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| ST MARY S SCHOOL El Centro | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| McKinley Elementary El Centro | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| St. Marys School El Centro | 2.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,890
Median Home Value
$286,100
Median Rent
$992/mo
Population
48,556
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
51.5%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mt. Signal Virtual Academy has a median household income of $55,890. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,100, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY OF SPORTS SCIENCE La Verne, CA | 5.2 |
| Butte Valley High Dorris, CA | 5.2 |
| Chaparral High El Cajon, CA | 5.2 |
| EXCELSIOR SCHOOL Arcadia, CA | 5.2 |
| Heartland High (Continuation) Selma, CA | 5.2 |
| New Village Girls Academy Los Angeles, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mt. Signal Virtual Academy
What grades does Mt. Signal Virtual Academy serve?
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mt. Signal Virtual Academy?
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 71 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mt. Signal Virtual Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mt. Signal Virtual Academy is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mt. Signal Virtual Academy rank in CA?
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy is ranked #7173 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Mt. Signal Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Mt. Signal Virtual Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mt. Signal Virtual Academy has 6.7% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mt. Signal Virtual Academy a charter school?
No, Mt. Signal Virtual Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mt. Signal Virtual Academy a Title I school?
No, Mt. Signal Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mt. Signal Virtual Academy?
69.0% of students at Mt. Signal Virtual Academy 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 (1,607/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Centro). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 71
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Imperial County
- Phone
- (760) 312-7050
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Union High- District Enrollment
- 4,023
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,038
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.