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Average

#7499 of 9,533 schools in CA

Surprise Valley High

High School · Surprise Valley Joint Unified

PO Box 100, Cedarville, CA 96104

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cedarville

#1 of 2

public schools

California high schools

#1,553 of 1,892

In district

#1 of 2

Surprise Valley Joint Unified

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Surprise Valley High

Surprise Valley High is a small high school located in the remote rural area of Cedarville, California. With an enrollment of just 46 students, it offers a close-knit community where every student is known personally by teachers and staff. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.3:1, with three full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting each student's educational journey.

The school’s academic performance shows areas for improvement, ranking at the 16th percentile in California. In English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading, 58% of students are proficient or above, while only 16% meet proficiency standards in math. These figures suggest that Surprise Valley High is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth.

Surprise Valley High sits in a remote setting where the tight-knit community plays an integral role in supporting students' education and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, Surprise 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.

Located in a rural area, Surprise 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.

The chronic absenteeism rate at Surprise Valley High is 44%, which is above the national average. Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days) can affect classroom dynamics and pacing. Parents should ask about the school's attendance support programs and what resources are available to help families address barriers to consistent attendance.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.1%
Math vs. State Avg-26.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-26.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,698
Chronic Absenteeism43.5%

Surprise Valley High — Students at Surprise Valley High score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 57.6%
School
State
46.6%

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
25%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2024
Math
6.5%
ELA
40.3%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Surprise Valley High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in CA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
43.5%

Location

PO Box 100, Cedarville, CA 96104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Surprise Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alturas Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Alturas), which scores notably higher. Another option is Modoc High (rated 4.5/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Alturas), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Modoc Middle (rated 4.4/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Alturas), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cedarville, see our Cedarville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

8 within 20.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Surprise Valley Elementary Cedarville 0.0 mi 4.1
Warner High Alturas 18.8 mi
High Desert Community Day Alturas 18.8 mi
Modoc High Alturas 19.0 mi 4.5
DAD FOR LEARNING Alturas 19.1 mi
Modoc Middle Alturas 19.7 mi 4.4
Alturas Elementary Alturas 19.7 mi 7.2
ALTURAS MENNONITE SCHOOL Alturas 20.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,484

Median Home Value

$248,200

Population

883

College Educated

16.2%

Homeownership

72.3%

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

54.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Surprise Valley High has a median household income of $51,484. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,200. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Acalanes Center for Independent Study Walnut Creek, CA 5.0
CLETA HARDER DEVELOPMENTAL SCHOOL La Habra, CA 5.0
Evergreen High Oakhurst, CA 5.0
STELLAR PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Hayward, CA 5.0
San Joaquin Valley High Parlier, CA 5.0
ACADEMY OF THOUGHT AND INDUSTRY San Francisco, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Surprise Valley High

What grades does Surprise Valley High serve?

Surprise Valley High serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Surprise Valley High?

Surprise Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Surprise Valley High?

The student-teacher ratio at Surprise Valley High is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Surprise Valley High rank in CA?

Surprise Valley High is ranked #7499 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Surprise Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

Surprise Valley High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Surprise Valley High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surprise Valley High has 15.7% math proficiency and 57.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Surprise Valley High a charter school?

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

Is Surprise Valley High a Title I school?

No, Surprise Valley High is not currently a Title I school.

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

43.5% of students at Surprise 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.

9 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Modoc County
Chronic Absenteeism
43.5%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Surprise Valley Joint Unified
District Enrollment
88
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,698
District Rank
#1 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

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