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Average

#537 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 30% of private schools

Sugar Bowl Academy

High School

815 LUPINE TRL, Norden, CA 95724

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

57

Student-Teacher

3.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

California high schools

#107 of 277

About Sugar Bowl Academy

Sugar Bowl Academy serves 57 students in grades 8 through 12 in the mountain community of Norden, California. This small public high school maintains an exceptional 3.8:1 student-teacher ratio with 15 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive highly individualized attention. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #333 out of 1,790 California high schools and earning a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.

This performance is particularly notable for a small rural school, demonstrating the effectiveness of its personalized approach to education. With such a small enrollment, Sugar Bowl Academy offers students the opportunity to form close relationships with both peers and faculty. The low student-teacher ratio suggests that teachers can provide significant individual support and mentoring to help students reach their academic potential.

The intimate school community likely fosters strong connections and allows students to participate actively in various school activities and leadership opportunities. Sugar Bowl Academy is situated in the scenic Sierra Nevada mountains near Norden, providing students with a unique educational experience in California's beautiful high country, where the natural setting complements the school's close-knit academic community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 57 students, Sugar Bowl Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 3.8:1, Sugar Bowl Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Sugar Bowl Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$146,344
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$146,369
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.00x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
78%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$19.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 57 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Schools in Norden

No public schools found in Norden for comparison. 1 other private school in the area.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,520
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 16%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 57
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 91.2%
Hispanic 5.3%
Asian 3.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

815 LUPINE TRL, Norden, CA 95724

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sugar Bowl Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LAKE TAHOE PREPATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Olympic Valley), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sierra High (Continuation) (rated 7.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Truckee), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tahoe Truckee High (rated 7.5/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Truckee), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Norden, see our Norden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Wild River - Coldstream Campus Truckee 5.9 mi
Truckee Elementary Truckee 6.3 mi 7.9
Donner Trail Elementary Soda Springs 6.4 mi 7.7
Tahoe Truckee High Truckee 6.5 mi 7.5
Cold Stream Alternative Truckee 6.7 mi
Sierra High (Continuation) Truckee 6.7 mi 7.7
Sierra Expeditionary Learning Truckee 6.9 mi 4.2
Creekside Charter Olympic Valley 9.1 mi 7.1
Alder Creek Middle Truckee 8.8 mi 8.4
Lake Tahoe Preparatory School Olympic Valley 10.0 mi
LAKE TAHOE PREPATORY SCHOOL Olympic Valley 10.0 mi 7.8
Tahoe Expedition Academy Truckee 9.2 mi
TAHOE EXPEDITION ACADEMY Truckee 9.6 mi 5.9
Wild River - Haskatasun Truckee 11.8 mi
Tahoe Lake Elementary Tahoe City 13.9 mi 4.3
Glenshire Elementary Truckee 13.2 mi 7.5
North Tahoe High Tahoe City 13.9 mi 6.8
North Tahoe Middle Tahoe City 13.9 mi 7.7
ISchool Kings Beach 16.4 mi
Kings Beach Elementary King Beach 17.1 mi 8.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cesar Chavez Community Woodland, CA 6.9
FUSION ACADEMY SB: SOUTH BAY Hermosa Beach, CA 6.9
Hanford Community Day Hanford, CA 6.9
Mt. Olive Innovation and Technology High Duarte, CA 6.9
ANACAPA SCHOOL Santa Barbara, CA 7.0
Chaparral High (Continuation) San Dimas, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sugar Bowl Academy

What grades does Sugar Bowl Academy serve?

Sugar Bowl Academy serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Sugar Bowl Academy?

Sugar Bowl Academy has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sugar Bowl Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Sugar Bowl Academy is 3.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sugar Bowl Academy rank in CA?

Sugar Bowl Academy is ranked #537 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Sugar Bowl Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Sugar Bowl Academy 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.

Is Sugar Bowl Academy a private school?

Yes, Sugar Bowl Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sugar Bowl Academy a religious school?

No, Sugar Bowl Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
57
Gender Split
70% M / 30% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
190 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
PLACER
Data Year
2022–2023

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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