Average
#5066 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sunset High
High School · Del Norte County Unified
2500 Elk Valley Cross Rd., Crescent City, CA 95531
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Crescent City
#5 of 10
public schools
California high schools
#1,061 of 1,892
In district
#4 of 11
Del Norte County Unified
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Sunset High
Sunset High is an alternative high school located in the remote town of Crescent City, California. With a student body of just 101 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.2:1, Sunset High offers personalized attention to help each student thrive. The school focuses on providing individualized support through its small class sizes and dedicated faculty of five full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, Sunset High is in the process of addressing areas for improvement. While it ranks in the 22nd percentile among California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10, the school is working to enhance its educational offerings and support systems. Currently, only 21% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 2% in Math.
Despite these challenges, Sunset High remains committed to fostering a supportive environment that encourages growth and development. Sunset High sits at 2500 Elk Valley Cross Road, nestled within the scenic yet isolated setting of Crescent City. The school is deeply connected to its community and aims to provide opportunities for students who may not thrive in traditional educational settings.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 101 students, Sunset 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 Sunset 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Sunset High is 20.2:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Sunset High — Students at Sunset High score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.4/10.
How Sunset High Compares
See how Sunset High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 22.22% (2024).
Location
2500 Elk Valley Cross Rd., Crescent City, CA 95531
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunset High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Del Norte High (rated 6.8/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brookings-Harbor High School (rated 4.9/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Brookings), a more accessible option. For more schools in Crescent City, see our Crescent City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 35.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Grove Elementary Crescent City | 2.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Crescent City SDA School Crescent City | 3.3 mi | — |
| Redwood Elementary Fort Dick | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Mary Peacock Elementary Crescent City | 3.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Del Norte High Crescent City | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Del Norte Community Crescent City | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Bess Maxwell Elementary Crescent City | 4.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Castle Rock Crescent City | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City | 4.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Joe Hamilton Elementary Crescent City | 4.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Uncharted Shores Academy Crescent City | 4.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Smith River Elementary Smith River | 8.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Mountain Elementary Gasquet | 10.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Margaret Keating Elementary Klamath | 18.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Azalea Middle School Brookings | 18.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Brookings-Harbor High School Brookings | 18.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Kalmiopsis Elementary School Brookings | 18.5 mi | 6.5 |
| BROOKINGS HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brookings | 23.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Jack Norton Elementary Hoopa | 35.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95531 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,817
Median Home Value
$323,600
Median Rent
$1,202/mo
Population
22,491
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
67.8%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunset High has a median household income of $66,817. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $323,600, with a median rent of $1,202/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Albert Powell Continuation Yuba City, CA | 6.2 |
| HEADLANDS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Sausalito, CA | 6.2 |
| Island High (Continuation) Alameda, CA | 6.2 |
| Options Secondary Chula Vista, CA | 6.2 |
| Pescadero High Pescadero, CA | 6.2 |
| San Luis Obispo County Community San Luis Obispo, CA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunset High
What grades does Sunset High serve?
Sunset High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Sunset High?
Sunset High has an enrollment of approximately 101 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset High?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunset High is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunset High rank in CA?
Sunset High is ranked #5066 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sunset High's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunset High has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Sunset High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunset High has 2.5% math proficiency and 21.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunset High a charter school?
No, Sunset High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunset High a Title I school?
No, Sunset High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunset High?
85.1% of students at Sunset 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (7,960/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Crescent City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 101
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Del Norte County
- Phone
- (707) 464-0380
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Del Norte County Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,427
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,219
- District Rank
- #4 of 11
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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