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
Enrollment
2,055
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Thomas Downey High — Students at Thomas Downey High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.3%
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: 6.7/10.
How Thomas Downey High Compares
See how Thomas Downey High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 16.35% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 46.61% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (209) 574-1685
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Modesto City High- District Enrollment
- 15,540
- Schools in District
- 8
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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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