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
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Surprise Valley High — Students at Surprise Valley High score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.3/10.
How Surprise Valley High Compares
See how Surprise Valley High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 5.26% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 42.11% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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%
- Phone
- (530) 279-6141
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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