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Average

#4527 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 48% in state

Pacific Career and Technology High

High School · Twin Rivers Unified

6560 Melrose Dr., North Highlands, CA 95660

Enrollment

78

Student-Teacher

7.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Highlands

#4 of 12

public schools

California high schools

#922 of 1,892

In district

#16 of 43

Twin Rivers Unified

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pacific Career and Technology High

Pacific Career and Technology High is an alternative high school located in North Highlands, California. Serving grades 9 through 12, the school has a small enrollment of 78 students and a dedicated faculty of 11 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1. The setting is in a large suburban area near Sacramento County.

While the academic performance metrics suggest there's room for improvement—students perform at around the 24th percentile statewide with an ELA proficiency rate of 19% and a math proficiency rate of 8%—the school focuses on providing specialized career and technology programs that can cater to diverse student interests. The low enrollment numbers mean students receive individualized attention, making it easier for teachers to tailor support to each learner's needs. Pacific Career and Technology High is situated in North Highlands, offering a suburban setting with easy access to various local amenities and resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 78 students, Pacific Career and Technology 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.

While current test scores at Pacific Career and Technology High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, Pacific Career and Technology High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.2%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-38.7 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,413

Pacific Career and Technology High — Students at Pacific Career and Technology High score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 18.6%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
ELA
17.2%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Pacific Career and Technology High Compares

See how Pacific Career and Technology High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

6560 Melrose Dr., North Highlands, CA 95660

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pacific Career and Technology High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Miles P. Richmond (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Highlands High (rated 5.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Foothill High (rated 4.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Sacramento), a more accessible option. For more schools in North Highlands, see our North Highlands schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Village Elementary North Highlands 0.5 mi 4.6
Kohler Elementary North Highlands 0.5 mi 4.9
Warren A. Allison Elementary North Highlands 0.5 mi 7.1
Chesterton Academy of Sacramento North Highlands 0.6 mi
Miles P. Richmond North Highlands 0.6 mi 7.1
Frederick Joyce Elementary North Highlands 0.8 mi 6.2
Highlands High North Highlands 0.8 mi 5.7
Hillsdale Elementary North Highlands 0.8 mi 8.6
Sierra View Elementary North Highlands 1.1 mi 4.3
Creative Connections Arts Academy North Highlands 1.1 mi 5.2
Sacramento Baptist School North Highlands 1.2 mi
Community Collaborative Charter Mcclellan 1.2 mi 6.4
Community Outreach Academy Mcclellan 1.2 mi 5.2
North Country Elementary Antelope 1.5 mi 4.6
Madison Elementary North Highlands 1.5 mi 5.7
Ridgepoint Elementary Sacramento 1.4 mi 5.9
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sacramento 1.6 mi 5.0
Foothill High Sacramento 1.3 mi 4.8
Woodridge Elementary Sacramento 1.4 mi 5.5
ANTELOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Antelope 1.6 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95660 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,957

Median Home Value

$330,600

Median Rent

$1,650/mo

Population

35,668

College Educated

11.4%

Homeownership

60.3%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

33.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pacific Career and Technology High has a median household income of $66,957. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $330,600, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
AeroSTEM Academy Yuba City, CA 6.4
Brea Canyon High (Continuation) Brea, CA 6.4
Carlsbad Village Academy Carlsbad, CA 6.4
East Hills Academy Chula Vista, CA 6.4
East Stanislaus High Oakdale, CA 6.4
FUSION ACADEMY - PALO ALTO Palo Alto, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pacific Career and Technology High

What grades does Pacific Career and Technology High serve?

Pacific Career and Technology High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pacific Career and Technology High?

Pacific Career and Technology High has an enrollment of approximately 78 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pacific Career and Technology High?

The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Career and Technology High is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pacific Career and Technology High rank in CA?

Pacific Career and Technology High is ranked #4527 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pacific Career and Technology High's MySchoolScout rating?

Pacific Career and Technology High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Pacific Career and Technology High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pacific Career and Technology High has 7.5% math proficiency and 18.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pacific Career and Technology High a charter school?

No, Pacific Career and Technology High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pacific Career and Technology High a Title I school?

No, Pacific Career and Technology High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pacific Career and Technology High?

94.9% of students at Pacific Career and Technology 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

County Safety
Elevated (726/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Sacramento County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Twin Rivers Unified
District Enrollment
24,386
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,322
District Rank
#16 of 43

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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