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Below Average

#8069 of 9,533 schools in CA

Thomas Downey High

High School · Modesto City High

1000 Coffee Rd., Modesto, CA 95355

Enrollment

2,055

Student-Teacher

22.3:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Modesto

#60 of 70

public schools

California high schools

#1,709 of 1,892

In district

#8 of 8

Modesto City High

About Thomas Downey High

Thomas Downey High serves 2,055 students in grades 9-12 in Modesto, California, operating as a large comprehensive public high school with 92 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1. The school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks in the 39th percentile among California high schools. Academically, Thomas Downey High shows room for growth, with 47% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 16% demonstrating proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels.

These results indicate the school is focusing on student development and working to strengthen academic outcomes for its diverse student body. The school draws from a stable middle-class community where the median household income reaches $80,266 and the median home value is $414,500. With a poverty rate of 11.1% and 22% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the surrounding neighborhood of 60,338 residents provides a solid foundation for the school community.

Located on Coffee Road in this mid-size Central Valley city, Thomas Downey High serves families in an established residential area of Modesto, where students benefit from the stability of a well-established community setting.

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Downey High is a large school with 2,055 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Downey High is 22.3:1, 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 Progress6.7Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.6%
Math vs. State Avg-11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1

Thomas Downey High — Students at Thomas Downey High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 46.3%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
20%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
41%
2024
Math
16.4%
ELA
46.6%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Thomas Downey High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers

Location

1000 Coffee Rd., Modesto, CA 95355

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Downey High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Robert Elliott Alternative Education Center (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stanislaus Alternative Charter (rated 4.9/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Modesto, see our Modesto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
John Muir Elementary Modesto 0.3 mi 7.4
Rose Avenue Elementary Modesto 0.5 mi 5.3
Robert Elliott Alternative Education Center Modesto 0.7 mi 6.2
La Loma Junior High Modesto 1.0 mi 5.4
ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Modesto 0.9 mi
Coleman F. Brown Elementary Modesto 1.1 mi 4.1
Wilson Elementary Modesto 1.2 mi 5.5
Standiford Elementary Modesto 1.3 mi 5.9
Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley Waterford 1.3 mi 5.8
El Vista Elementary Modesto 1.3 mi 8.5
Somerset Middle Modesto 1.5 mi 5.1
Orchard Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 5.6
Sylvan Elementary Modesto 1.6 mi 3.5
Sonoma Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 6.0
Enslen Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 7.9
Stanislaus Alternative Charter Modesto 1.6 mi 4.9
Sherwood Elementary Modesto 1.8 mi 4.7
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Modesto 1.5 mi 6.8
Orville Wright Elementary Modesto 2.1 mi 6.0
Roosevelt Junior High Modesto 1.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95355 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,460

Median Home Value

$447,600

Median Rent

$1,719/mo

Population

60,470

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

60.9%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thomas Downey High has a median household income of $83,460. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $447,600, with a median rent of $1,719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. 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
BISHOP ODOWD HIGH SCHOOL Oakland, CA 4.7
C. K. McClatchy High Sacramento, CA 4.7
Calexico High Calexico, CA 4.7
Casa Grande High Petaluma, CA 4.7
John F. Kennedy High Fremont, CA 4.7
Jurupa Valley High Jurupa Valley, CA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Downey High

What grades does Thomas Downey High serve?

Thomas Downey High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Thomas Downey High?

Thomas Downey High has an enrollment of approximately 2,055 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Downey High?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Downey High is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Downey High rank in CA?

Thomas Downey High is ranked #8069 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Thomas Downey High's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Downey High has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Thomas Downey High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Downey High has 16.9% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thomas Downey High a charter school?

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

Is Thomas Downey High a Title I school?

No, Thomas Downey High is not currently a Title I school.

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

72.3% of students at Thomas Downey 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
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,128/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,055
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
92
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Stanislaus County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

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