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Average

#4168 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 44% in state

Pierce High

High School · Pierce Joint Unified

960 Wildwood Rd., Arbuckle, CA 95912

Enrollment

503

Student-Teacher

18.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,168 of 9,539

In Arbuckle

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Pierce Joint Unified

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Pierce High

6.7/10

High School in Arbuckle · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Arbuckle Alternative High (continuation)

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lloyd G. Johnson Junior High

7.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pierce High

Pierce High is a public high school in Arbuckle, CA, part of Pierce Joint Unified. Pierce High serves approximately 503 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Pierce High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,168 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Pierce High show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with CA schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Pierce High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-13 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.5 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation18.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,742
Chronic Absenteeism18.7%

Pierce High — Students at Pierce High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
15%
ELA
45.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.

How Pierce High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in CA
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.6
Sports
3
2 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
18.5% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
2 boys'·1 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.4/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Maxwell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Williams Junior/Senior High (rated 6.1/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Williams), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Colusa High (rated 6.0/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Colusa), with a comparable rating. 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 7.0
Arbuckle Elementary Arbuckle 0.5 mi 5.6
Grand Island Elementary Grimes 9.5 mi 8.6
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 3.7
Williams Primary Elementary Williams 11.3 mi 4.3
Williams Junior/Senior High Williams 11.4 mi 6.1
Colusa High Colusa 13.3 mi 6.0
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 7.6
Colusa Alternative Home Colusa 14.0 mi
George T. Egling Middle Colusa 14.0 mi 6.4
Feather River Charter Sacramento 12.3 mi 5.7
Maxwell Sr High Maxwell 19.9 mi 7.4
Maxwell Elementary Maxwell 20.1 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alliance Piera Barbaglia Shaheen Health Services Academy Los Angeles, CA 6.7
Argonaut High Jackson, CA 6.7
Calipatria High Calipatria, CA 6.7
East Bay Innovation Academy Oakland, CA 6.7
GEFFEN ACADEMY AT UCLA Los Angeles, CA 6.7
Latitude 37.8 High Oakland, CA 6.7

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 ranks #4,168 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Pierce High's MySchoolScout rating?

Pierce High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pierce High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pierce High has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.7%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Pierce Joint Unified
District Enrollment
1,494
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,742
District Rank
#3 of 4

How we rate schools

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