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Average

#7256 of 9,533 schools in CA

Placer High

High School · Placer Union High

275 Orange St., Auburn, CA 95603

Enrollment

1,303

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Auburn

#6 of 9

public schools

California high schools

#1,549 of 1,892

In district

#5 of 6

Placer Union High

About Placer High

Placer High serves 1,303 students in grades 9-12 in Auburn, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1 and 59 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 64th percentile statewide, placing #3442 out of 9566 California high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. Academically, Placer High shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 69% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

The school's math program has room for growth, with 25% of students demonstrating proficiency or above. These results reflect opportunities for continued academic development as the school works to support student achievement across all subject areas. The school serves a diverse community in the 95603 area, where the median household income is $78,933 and median home value reaches $585,300.

About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.6% among the ZIP code's 28,366 residents. Placer High is situated in Auburn, a town located on the fringe of an urban area in Placer County, providing students with access to both small-town community feel and proximity to larger metropolitan resources.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Placer High is 22.1:1, 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 Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.5%
Math vs. State Avg-2.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.6 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,790

Placer High — Students at Placer High score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
25.2%
ELA
68.5%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Placer High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in CA
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers

Location

275 Orange St., Auburn, CA 95603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Placer High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maidu Virtual Charter Academy (rated 6.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Confluence Continuation High (rated 4.7/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Auburn, see our Auburn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Confluence Continuation High Auburn 0.1 mi 4.7
Maidu Virtual Charter Academy Auburn 0.1 mi 6.5
EV Cain Middle Auburn 0.9 mi 4.5
Placer County Special Education Auburn 1.0 mi 6.3
Placer County Court Schools Auburn 1.0 mi
Placer County Pathways Charter Auburn 1.0 mi 8.7
LEGACY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Auburn 1.4 mi 4.5
Skyridge Elementary Auburn 1.4 mi 8.1
Legacy Christian School at Confluence Church Auburn 1.5 mi
Global SchoolONE Auburn 1.5 mi
Bowman Charter Auburn 2.9 mi 6.6
Pine Hills Adventist Academy Auburn 3.2 mi
PINE HILLS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn 3.2 mi 5.5
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn 3.1 mi 5.7
Auburn Elementary Auburn 3.1 mi 3.6
Northside Elementary Cool 3.0 mi 8.4
Ophir STEAM Academy Newcastle 3.0 mi 8.0
Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter Newcastle 3.9 mi 3.4
Newcastle Elementary Newcastle 4.0 mi 9.5
Newcastle Charter Newcastle 4.0 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,851

Median Home Value

$613,900

Median Rent

$1,451/mo

Population

28,195

College Educated

32.9%

Homeownership

67.1%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Median Age

48.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Placer High has a median household income of $80,851. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $613,900, with a median rent of $1,451/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. 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
East Union High Manteca, CA 5.2
Elsie Allen High Santa Rosa, CA 5.2
Lindhurst High Olivehurst, CA 5.2
Pomona High Pomona, CA 5.2
Rim of the World Senior High Lake Arrowhead, CA 5.2
ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY San Francisco, CA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Placer High

What grades does Placer High serve?

Placer High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Placer High?

Placer High has an enrollment of approximately 1,303 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Placer High?

The student-teacher ratio at Placer High is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Placer High rank in CA?

Placer High is ranked #7256 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Placer High's MySchoolScout rating?

Placer 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 Placer High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Placer High has 29.6% math proficiency and 66.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Placer High a charter school?

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

Is Placer High a Title I school?

No, Placer High is not currently a Title I school.

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

30.2% of students at Placer 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
77 Very Walkable
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,050/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,303
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Placer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Placer Union High
District Enrollment
3,975
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,479
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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