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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.3%
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.6 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-25.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,230

Potter Valley High — Students at Potter Valley High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
9.1%
ELA
27.3%

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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in CA
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (305/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Potter Valley Community Unified
District Enrollment
277
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,312
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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