Excellent
#1361 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 14% in state
Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy
Elementary School · Antioch Unified
4730 Sterling Hills Dr., Antioch, CA 94531
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,361 of 9,539
In Antioch
#1 of 27
public schools
In district
#1 of 25
Antioch Unified
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy
Elementary School in Antioch · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Black Diamond Middle
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Jack London Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy
Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy is a public elementary school in Antioch, CA, part of Antioch Unified. Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy serves approximately 291 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,361 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- District avg 4.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
30% of students at Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy — Students at Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.
How Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy Compares
See how Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4730 Sterling Hills Dr., Antioch, CA 94531
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is GOLDEN HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Brentwood), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pioneer Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Brentwood), a more accessible option. For more schools in Antioch, see our Antioch schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Middle Antioch | 0.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Jack London Elementary Antioch | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| New Light Education Antioch | 0.5 mi | — |
| Deer Valley High Antioch | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Successful Independent Study High School Antioch | 0.7 mi | — |
| Diablo Vista Elementary Antioch | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| SIERRA SCHOOLS AT ANTIOCH- DIABLO VISTA Antioch | 0.9 mi | — |
| Carmen Dragon Elementary Antioch | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Antioch | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Grant Elementary Antioch | 1.1 mi | 3.2 |
| HERITAGE BAPTIST ACADEMY Antioch | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Heritage Baptist Academy Antioch | 1.2 mi | — |
| Dozier-Libbey Medical High Antioch | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Lone Tree Elementary Antioch | 1.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Muir (John) Elementary Antioch | 1.7 mi | 3.1 |
| GOLDEN HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brentwood | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Dallas Ranch Middle Antioch | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Pioneer Elementary Brentwood | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Cornerstone Christian School Antioch | 2.5 mi | — |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Antioch | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94531 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$123,428
Median Home Value
$660,200
Median Rent
$3,063/mo
Population
44,746
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
72.3%
Avg Commute
46.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
38.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego San Marcos, CA | 8.1 |
| Baywood Elementary Los Osos, CA | 8.1 |
| Carlos Santana Arts Academy North Hills, CA | 8.1 |
| Carson-Gore Academy of Environmental Studies Los Angeles, CA | 8.1 |
| Chapman Elementary Gardena, CA | 8.1 |
| Chatom Elementary Turlock, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy
What grades does Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy serve?
Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy?
Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy 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 Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy rank in CA?
Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy ranks #1,361 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Gaines Virtual Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
Is Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy a charter school?
No, Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy a Title I school?
No, Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy?
83.5% of students at Thomas Gaines Virtual Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 291
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.5%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.2%
- Phone
- (925) 779-7640
Resources & Links
District
Antioch Unified- District Enrollment
- 15,034
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,933
- District Rank
- #1 of 25
How we rate schools
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