Average
#3584 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 38% in state
Potter Valley High
High School · Potter Valley Community Unified
PO Box 219, Potter Valley, CA 95469
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Potter Valley
#2 of 3
public schools
California high schools
#675 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 3
Potter Valley Community Unified
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Potter Valley High
Potter Valley High is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Potter Valley, California. With an enrollment of just 81 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment supported by five full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Potter Valley High shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #5887 among California schools.
In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, 22% of students are deemed proficient or above, while only 9% meet that mark in math. Despite these challenges, Potter Valley High continues to focus on the development and well-being of its students within a close-knit rural setting. The school's location provides a peaceful backdrop for learning, fostering a sense of community among teachers, staff, and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 81 students, Potter Valley 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 Potter Valley 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.
Located in a rural area, Potter Valley 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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Potter Valley High — Students at Potter Valley High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.
How Potter Valley High Compares
See how Potter Valley High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 9.09% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 27.27% (2024).
Location
PO Box 219, Potter Valley, CA 95469
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Potter Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Redwood Collegiate Academy (rated 6.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ukiah High (rated 5.6/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), a more accessible option. For more schools in Potter Valley, see our Potter Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Potter Valley Elementary Potter Valley | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Potter Valley Junior High Potter Valley | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Eagle Peak Middle Redwood Valley | 7.1 mi | 6.3 |
| The Waldorf School of Mendocino County Calpella | 7.9 mi | — |
| THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF MENDOCINO COUNTY Calpella | 7.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Calpella Elementary Ukiah | 8.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Deep Valley Christian Redwood Valley | 7.7 mi | — |
| DEEP VALLEY CHRISTIAN Redwood Valley | 7.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Tree of Life Charter Ukiah | 12.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Redwood Collegiate Academy Ukiah | 12.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Sequoia Career Academy Ukiah | 12.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Oak Manor Elementary Ukiah | 12.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Frank Zeek Elementary Ukiah | 12.5 mi | 8.6 |
| West Hills Juvenile Hall Court Ukiah | 12.6 mi | — |
| Mendocino County Community Ukiah | 12.6 mi | — |
| Ukiah High Ukiah | 12.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Instilling Goodness Developing Virtue School Ukiah | 13.4 mi | — |
| Ukiah Independent Study Academy Ukiah | 12.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Orr Creek Ukiah | 12.7 mi | — |
| River Oak Charter Ukiah | 13.1 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95469 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,402
Median Home Value
$593,800
Median Rent
$1,406/mo
Population
1,503
College Educated
34.6%
Homeownership
67.5%
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
49.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Potter Valley High has a median household income of $66,402. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $593,800, with a median rent of $1,406/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Cesar Chavez Community Woodland, CA | 6.9 |
| Monterey High (Continuation) Burbank, CA | 6.9 |
| Mt. Olive Innovation and Technology High Duarte, CA | 6.9 |
| OCASA College Prep San Juan Capistrano, CA | 6.9 |
| SUGAR BOWL ACADEMY Norden, CA | 6.9 |
| Somerset High Bellflower, CA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Potter Valley High
What grades does Potter Valley High serve?
Potter Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Potter Valley High?
Potter Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Potter Valley High?
The student-teacher ratio at Potter Valley High is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Potter Valley High rank in CA?
Potter Valley High is ranked #3584 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Potter Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?
Potter Valley High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Potter Valley High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Potter Valley High has 9.4% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Potter Valley High a charter school?
No, Potter Valley High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Potter Valley High a Title I school?
No, Potter Valley High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Potter Valley High?
54.3% of students at Potter Valley 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 81
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Mendocino County
- Phone
- (707) 743-1142
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Potter Valley Community Unified- District Enrollment
- 277
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,312
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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.
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