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Average

#7230 of 9,533 schools in CA

Peter Johansen High

High School · Modesto City High

641 Norseman Dr., Modesto, CA 95357

Enrollment

2,000

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Modesto

#50 of 70

public schools

California high schools

#1,546 of 1,892

In district

#4 of 8

Modesto City High

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Peter Johansen High

Peter Johansen High serves 2,000 students in grades 9-12 in Modesto, California, operating as a comprehensive public high school with 87 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 23:1. The school ranks in the 42nd percentile statewide, placing #5581 out of 9566 California high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. Academically, Peter Johansen High shows mixed performance with room for growth.

About half of students (51%) demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while mathematics presents a greater challenge with 14% of students achieving proficiency across grade levels. These results suggest the school is working to strengthen academic outcomes, particularly in math instruction and support. The school draws from a diverse community in the 95357 zip code, where the median household income reaches $92,372 and median home values sit at $392,700.

About 18% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 12.1% of families experience poverty, reflecting a mix of economic backgrounds among students and families. Located on Norseman Drive in this mid-size Central Valley city, Peter Johansen High serves as a neighborhood anchor in Modesto's educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Peter Johansen High is 23:1, 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 Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.7%
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.2 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1

Peter Johansen High — Students at Peter Johansen High score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 48.6%
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
18%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
50%
2024
Math
13.7%
ELA
50.7%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Peter Johansen High Compares

See how Peter Johansen High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
87 teachers

Location

641 Norseman Dr., Modesto, CA 95357

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Peter Johansen High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Teel School in Empire (rated 5.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Empire), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, James C. Enochs High (rated 4.8/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Modesto, see our Modesto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto 0.5 mi 3.5
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Modesto 0.6 mi 5.3
Norman N. Glick Middle Modesto 0.6 mi 6.1
Christine Sipherd Elementary Modesto 1.2 mi 5.1
Empire Elementary Empire 1.2 mi 3.6
Teel School in Empire Empire 1.3 mi 5.9
Capistrano Elementary Modesto 1.3 mi 3.8
Lakewood Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 5.8
Daniel J. Savage Middle Modesto 1.7 mi 5.9
Freedom Elementary Modesto 1.8 mi 4.2
Sonoma Elementary Modesto 1.9 mi 6.0
Mary Ann Sanders Elementary Modesto 2.4 mi 5.8
El Vista Elementary Modesto 2.0 mi 8.5
Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley Waterford 2.3 mi 5.8
Orchard Elementary Modesto 2.5 mi 5.6
Elizabeth Ustach Middle Modesto 2.8 mi 5.9
James C. Enochs High Modesto 3.1 mi 4.8
Virginia Parks Elementary Modesto 2.9 mi 4.4
Samuel Vaughn Elementary Ceres 3.3 mi 5.1
Rose Avenue Elementary Modesto 2.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95357 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,066

Median Home Value

$417,800

Median Rent

$2,001/mo

Population

14,283

College Educated

16.2%

Homeownership

70.5%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

34.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Peter Johansen High has a median household income of $94,066. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $417,800, with a median rent of $2,001/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Bellflower High Bellflower, CA 5.2
East Union High Manteca, CA 5.2
Herbert Hoover High Fresno, CA 5.2
Independence High Bakersfield, CA 5.2
Indio High Indio, CA 5.2
Lindhurst High Olivehurst, CA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Peter Johansen High

What grades does Peter Johansen High serve?

Peter Johansen High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Peter Johansen High?

Peter Johansen High has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Peter Johansen High?

The student-teacher ratio at Peter Johansen High is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Peter Johansen High rank in CA?

Peter Johansen High is ranked #7230 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Peter Johansen High's MySchoolScout rating?

Peter Johansen High 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 Peter Johansen High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Peter Johansen High has 16.1% math proficiency and 48.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Peter Johansen High a charter school?

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

Is Peter Johansen High a Title I school?

No, Peter Johansen High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Peter Johansen High?

83.4% of students at Peter Johansen 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

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,128/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,000
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
87
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Stanislaus County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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