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Needs Improvement

#9020 of 9,533 schools in CA

Sierra Vista High (alternative)

High School · Whittier Union High

9401 South Painter Ave., Whittier, CA 90605

Enrollment

338

Student-Teacher

28.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Whittier

#42 of 42

public schools

California high schools

#1,842 of 1,892

In district

#7 of 7

Whittier Union High

About Sierra Vista High (alternative)

Sierra Vista High, an alternative high school in Whittier, California, serves students from ninth to twelfth grade. With a student body of 338 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 28.2:1, Sierra Vista offers personalized attention through its small class sizes and dedicated teachers. The school's primary focus is on providing an alternative educational setting that caters to diverse learning needs.

Academically, Sierra Vista High has room for growth according to recent performance metrics. Its MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 reflects a current state ranking at #8658 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 10th percentile overall. In ELA/Reading proficiency, Sierra Vista sees about 38% of students meeting or exceeding standards, while math proficiency stands at just 6%.

Despite these challenges, Sierra Vista continues to work towards enhancing its academic programs and supporting student development. Sierra Vista High is situated in a large suburban area, offering students access to the resources and community support needed for their education journey.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sierra Vista High (alternative) 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Vista High (alternative) is 28.2:1, 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 Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.9Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.1%
Math vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,809

Sierra Vista High (alternative) — Students at Sierra Vista High (alternative) score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 38.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 7 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
10%
2024
Math
4%
ELA
36.1%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Sierra Vista High (alternative) Compares

See how Sierra Vista High (alternative) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
5th percentile in CA
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

9401 South Painter Ave., Whittier, CA 90605

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Vista High (alternative) may also want to explore other high schools in the area. California High (rated 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frontier High (Continuation) (rated 6.6/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PAUL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Santa Fe Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Whittier, see our Whittier schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Frontier High (Continuation) Whittier 0.0 mi 6.6
ST PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Santa Fe Springs 0.5 mi 5.1
Lake Marie Elementary Whittier 0.6 mi 4.1
Laurel Elementary Whittier 0.6 mi 6.2
Richard L. Graves Middle Whittier 0.7 mi 8.0
Evergreen Elementary Whittier 0.8 mi 8.1
Mulberry Elementary Whittier 1.0 mi 7.5
Howard J. McKibben Elementary Whittier 1.1 mi 5.4
Lydia Jackson College Preparatory Academy Whittier 1.2 mi 6.2
CARDEN ACADEMY OF WHITTIER Whittier 1.3 mi 7.1
Mulberry Tree Preschool Whittier 1.3 mi
Carden Academy of Whittier Whittier 1.3 mi
Carmela Elementary Whittier 1.5 mi 6.7
St. Gregory the Great Whittier 1.5 mi
ST GREGORY THE GREAT SCHOOL Whittier 1.5 mi 3.8
Keystone Academy Santa Fe Springs 1.5 mi
California High Whittier 1.4 mi 8.7
Ceres Elementary Whittier 1.5 mi 4.9
St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary Whittier 1.7 mi
ST MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Whittier 1.7 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,825

Median Home Value

$662,000

Median Rent

$1,861/mo

Population

39,224

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

68%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sierra Vista High (alternative) has a median household income of $100,825. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $662,000, with a median rent of $1,861/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Boron Junior-Senior High Boron, CA 3.9
Susan H. Nelson Temecula, CA 4.0
Learning Post Academy (Alternative) Santa Clarita, CA 4.1
Mirus Secondary San Diego, CA 4.1
Clear Lake High Lakeport, CA 4.2
Hamilton Anza, CA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Vista High (alternative)

What grades does Sierra Vista High (alternative) serve?

Sierra Vista High (alternative) serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Sierra Vista High (alternative)?

Sierra Vista High (alternative) has an enrollment of approximately 338 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Vista High (alternative)?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Vista High (alternative) is 28.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Vista High (alternative) rank in CA?

Sierra Vista High (alternative) is ranked #9020 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Vista High (alternative)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Vista High (alternative) has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Sierra Vista High (alternative)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Vista High (alternative) has 6.4% math proficiency and 38.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sierra Vista High (alternative) a charter school?

No, Sierra Vista High (alternative) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sierra Vista High (alternative) a Title I school?

No, Sierra Vista High (alternative) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sierra Vista High (alternative)?

79.6% of students at Sierra Vista High (alternative) 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

City Safety
High (2,878/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.6%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Whittier Union High
District Enrollment
10,223
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,374
District Rank
#7 of 7

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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