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Below Average

#8819 of 9,533 schools in CA

Sonora High

High School · Sonora Union High

430 North Washington St., Sonora, CA 95370

Enrollment

960

Student-Teacher

25.9:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sonora

#6 of 8

public schools

California high schools

#1,819 of 1,892

In district

#2 of 3

Sonora Union High

About Sonora High

Sonora High serves 960 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of California's Gold Country. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.9 to 1, providing a substantial high school experience in Tuolumne County's county seat. Academically, Sonora High shows mixed performance with particular strength in English Language Arts, where 67% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, as 27% of students currently meet proficiency standards. The school holds a state ranking of 4,372 out of 9,566 California high schools, placing it in the 54th percentile statewide. The school draws from a community where the median household income reaches $69,751, with home values averaging $390,400.

About 26% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.7% across the 95370 ZIP code area, which encompasses over 28,000 residents. Located at 430 North Washington Street, Sonora High sits in a remote town setting that offers students a close-knit community atmosphere amid the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills, where historic charm meets modern educational opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sonora High is 25.9:1, 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 Progress3.3Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.1 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,368

Sonora High — Students at Sonora High score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
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
42%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
26.5%
ELA
67%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Sonora High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in CA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

430 North Washington St., Sonora, CA 95370

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sonora High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Dario Cassina High (rated 6.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Theodore Bird High (rated 3.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sonora, see our Sonora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy Sonora 0.6 mi
MOTHER LODE ADVENTIST JR ACADEMY Sonora 0.6 mi 5.5
Dario Cassina High Sonora 0.7 mi 6.1
Theodore Bird High Sonora 0.7 mi 3.2
Tuolumne County Community/ISP Sonora 0.9 mi
Tuolumne County Special Education Sonora 0.9 mi 5.9
Sonora Elementary Sonora 1.1 mi 4.7
Gold Ridge Educational Center Sonora 1.8 mi
Columbia Elementary Columbia 3.0 mi 7.2
Jamestown Elementary Jamestown 3.0 mi 7.2
Vance Elementary School Jamestown 3.5 mi
Sierra Waldorf School Jamestown 3.9 mi
SIERRA WALDORF SCHOOL Jamestown 3.9 mi 5.1
Safari Learning Academy Sonora 4.4 mi
SAFARI LEARNING ACADEMY Sonora 4.4 mi 5.4
Curtis Creek Elementary Sonora 4.6 mi 3.7
Gold Rush Home Study Charter Sonora 5.8 mi 5.9
Soulsbyville Elementary Soulsbyville 6.6 mi 8.2
Belleview Elementary Sonora 6.9 mi 9.3
Cornerstone Family Christian School Soulsbyville 6.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95370 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,433

Median Home Value

$416,200

Median Rent

$1,313/mo

Population

28,373

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Median Age

49.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sonora High has a median household income of $72,433. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $416,200, with a median rent of $1,313/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Coalinga High Coalinga, CA 4.1
Oakland School for the Arts Oakland, CA 4.1
Riverbank High Riverbank, CA 4.1
Rubidoux High Jurupa Valley, CA 4.0
Sutter High Sutter, CA 4.0
Twelve Bridges High Lincoln, CA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sonora High

What grades does Sonora High serve?

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

How many students attend Sonora High?

Sonora High has an enrollment of approximately 960 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sonora High?

The student-teacher ratio at Sonora High is 25.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sonora High rank in CA?

Sonora High is ranked #8819 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sonora High's MySchoolScout rating?

Sonora High has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Sonora High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sonora High has 30.5% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sonora High a charter school?

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

Is Sonora High a Title I school?

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

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

38.8% of students at Sonora 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,027/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
960
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Tuolumne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sonora Union High
District Enrollment
1,092
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,423
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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