Average
#6669 of 9,533 schools in CA
Pierce High
High School · Pierce Joint Unified
960 Wildwood Rd., Arbuckle, CA 95912
Enrollment
503
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
503
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arbuckle
#2 of 3
public schools
California high schools
#1,431 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 4
Pierce Joint Unified
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Pierce High
Pierce High is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Arbuckle, California. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade with an enrollment of 503 and a student-teacher ratio of 18.6:1. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, Pierce High offers a supportive learning environment where each student receives individual attention.
Academically, Pierce High has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks at the 34th percentile among California schools with an academic score of 4.5/10. In English Language Arts (ELA), 49% of students are proficient or above, indicating that while there is room for improvement in certain areas, many students are meeting proficiency standards. Math scores show fewer students achieving proficiency at 16%, suggesting a focus on strengthening math skills and support systems.
Pierce High is situated in a rural community where the school plays an important role in the local educational landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pierce High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Pierce High — Students at Pierce High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.
How Pierce High Compares
See how Pierce High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 15% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 45.38% (2024).
Location
960 Wildwood Rd., Arbuckle, CA 95912
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pierce High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maxwell Sr High (rated 7.8/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Maxwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Williams Junior/Senior High (rated 5.2/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Williams), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Colusa High (rated 3.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Colusa), a more accessible option. For more schools in Arbuckle, see our Arbuckle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arbuckle Alternative High (Continuation) Arbuckle | 0.0 mi | — |
| Lloyd G. Johnson Junior High Arbuckle | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Arbuckle Elementary Arbuckle | 0.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Grand Island Elementary Grimes | 9.5 mi | 4.6 |
| S. William Abel Academy Williams | 11.3 mi | — |
| Coastal Buttes Academy Williams | 11.3 mi | — |
| Mid Valley High (Continuation) Williams | 11.3 mi | — |
| Williams Upper Elementary Williams | 11.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Williams Primary Elementary Williams | 11.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Williams Junior/Senior High Williams | 11.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Colusa High Colusa | 13.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Colusa Alternative High (Continuation) Colusa | 13.3 mi | — |
| Meridian Elementary Meridian | 12.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Colusa | 13.6 mi | — |
| James M. Burchfield Primary Colusa | 13.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Colusa Alternative Home Colusa | 14.0 mi | — |
| George T. Egling Middle Colusa | 14.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Feather River Charter Sacramento | 12.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Maxwell Sr High Maxwell | 19.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Maxwell Elementary Maxwell | 20.1 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95912 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,893
Median Home Value
$424,700
Median Rent
$1,034/mo
Population
5,048
College Educated
10.5%
Homeownership
68.3%
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
36.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pierce High has a median household income of $80,893. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,700, with a median rent of $1,034/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ACE Charter High San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| High Tech LA Lake Balboa, CA | 5.5 |
| Kern Valley High Lake Isabella, CA | 5.5 |
| McKinleyville High Mckinleyville, CA | 5.5 |
| PRESENTATION HIGH SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| SAN JOAQUIN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Fresno, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pierce High
What grades does Pierce High serve?
Pierce High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pierce High?
Pierce High has an enrollment of approximately 503 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierce High?
The student-teacher ratio at Pierce High is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pierce High rank in CA?
Pierce High is ranked #6669 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pierce High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pierce High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Pierce High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pierce High has 15.7% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pierce High a charter school?
No, Pierce High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pierce High a Title I school?
No, Pierce High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pierce High?
71.8% of students at Pierce 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
- County Safety
- Average (530/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 503
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Colusa County
- Phone
- (530) 476-2277
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pierce Joint Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,494
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,742
- District Rank
- #2 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
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