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Average

#7285 of 9,539 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

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,285 of 9,539

In Modesto

#39 of 70

public schools

In district

#6 of 8

Modesto City High

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Thomas Downey High

5.0/10

High School in Modesto · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John Muir Elementary

4.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Rose Avenue Elementary

3.0/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas Downey High

Thomas Downey High is a public high school in Modesto, CA, part of Modesto City High. Thomas Downey High serves approximately 2,055 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Downey High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #7,285 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Downey High show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Downey High is a large school: 2,055 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Thomas Downey High runs 22.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

35% of students at Thomas Downey High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation2.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Chronic Absenteeism34.9%

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 29.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 49.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
49%
2010
Math
54%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
45%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
41%
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: 5.3/10.

How Thomas Downey High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
24th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
3
1 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
2.8% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
1 boys'·2 girls'·3 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 4.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Stanislaus Alternative Charter (rated 2.7/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 4.3
Rose Avenue Elementary Modesto 0.5 mi 3.0
Robert Elliott Alternative Education Center Modesto 0.7 mi 4.2
La Loma Junior High Modesto 1.0 mi 5.0
ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Modesto 0.9 mi
Coleman F. Brown Elementary Modesto 1.1 mi 2.3
Wilson Elementary Modesto 1.2 mi 4.3
Standiford Elementary Modesto 1.3 mi 5.0
Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley Waterford 1.3 mi 7.7
El Vista Elementary Modesto 1.3 mi 7.5
Somerset Middle Modesto 1.5 mi 4.8
Orchard Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 4.1
Sylvan Elementary Modesto 1.6 mi 3.6
Sonoma Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 7.4
Enslen Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 7.8
Stanislaus Alternative Charter Modesto 1.6 mi 2.7
Sherwood Elementary Modesto 1.8 mi 4.3
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Modesto 1.5 mi 6.8
Orville Wright Elementary Modesto 2.1 mi 2.9
Roosevelt Junior High Modesto 1.8 mi 5.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cesar Chavez High Stockton, CA 5.0
Nevada Union High Grass Valley, CA 5.0
Peter Johansen High Modesto, CA 5.0
Stagg Senior High Stockton, CA 5.0
Sweetwater High National City, CA 5.0
Tennyson High Hayward, CA 5.0

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 ranks #7,285 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Thomas Downey High's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Downey High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Thomas Downey High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Downey High has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.9%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Modesto City High
District Enrollment
15,540
Schools in District
8
District Rank
#6 of 8

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