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Average

#3737 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 39% in state

Vista Alternative

High School · Fremont Unified

4455 Seneca Park Ave., Fremont, CA 94538

Enrollment

41

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fremont

#24 of 45

public schools

California high schools

#711 of 1,892

In district

#23 of 43

Fremont Unified

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Vista Alternative

Vista Alternative serves 41 students in grades 7-12 in Fremont, California, offering a small, personalized educational environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1 and just 4 full-time equivalent teachers. This alternative high school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks in the 82nd percentile statewide at #1758 out of 9,566 California schools. Academically, Vista Alternative shows solid performance in English Language Arts with 68% of students testing proficient or above, while math proficiency at 36% indicates an area with room for growth.

The school's academic score of 7.3 out of 10 reflects its overall educational effectiveness in serving students who may benefit from an alternative educational setting. Located on Seneca Park Avenue, Vista Alternative sits in an affluent area of Fremont where the median household income reaches $143,146 and 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 94538 zip code has a low poverty rate of just 5% and median home values of over $1 million.

This alternative school provides specialized educational support within one of the Bay Area's well-established suburban communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 41 students, Vista Alternative 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,535

Vista Alternative — Students at Vista Alternative score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 70.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 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
25%
ELA
75%
2024
Math
36.1%
ELA
67.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Vista Alternative Compares

See how Vista Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

4455 Seneca Park Ave., Fremont, CA 94538

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista Alternative may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Irvington High (rated 8.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Robertson High (Continuation) (rated 6.5/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John F. Kennedy High (rated 4.7/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fremont, see our Fremont schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Robertson High (Continuation) Fremont 0.0 mi 6.5
Irvington High Fremont 0.3 mi 8.1
Harvey Green Elementary Fremont 0.3 mi 7.3
O. N. Hirsch Elementary Fremont 0.6 mi 7.4
ILM ACADEMY Fremont 0.6 mi 6.3
John M. Horner Middle Fremont 0.7 mi 6.9
Steven Millard Elementary Fremont 0.6 mi 5.6
Ilm Academy Fremont 0.8 mi
E. M. Grimmer Elementary Fremont 0.7 mi 9.1
LEARN AND PLAY MONTESSORI IRVINGTON INC. Fremont 0.9 mi
John Blacow Elementary Fremont 0.8 mi 5.4
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Fremont 1.4 mi 7.5
J. Haley Durham Elementary Fremont 1.6 mi 4.8
John F. Kennedy High Fremont 1.4 mi 4.7
Mission Valley Elementary Fremont 1.5 mi 6.2
G. M. Walters Middle Fremont 1.6 mi 6.5
Lila Bringhurst Elementary Fremont 1.7 mi 6.7
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Fremont 1.6 mi
Brier Elementary Fremont 1.8 mi 3.6
BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT Fremont 2.0 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94538 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$144,451

Median Home Value

$1,104,800

Median Rent

$2,860/mo

Population

67,704

College Educated

53.4%

Homeownership

44.8%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vista Alternative has a median household income of $144,451. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,104,800, with a median rent of $2,860/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Highland Park Continuation Los Angeles, CA 6.8
Opportunity Program Riverside, CA 6.8
Palmiter Special Education Sacramento, CA 6.8
Phoenix High Community Day Lancaster, CA 6.8
REACH Academy Santa Ana, CA 6.8
Vicente Martinez High Martinez, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista Alternative

What grades does Vista Alternative serve?

Vista Alternative serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Vista Alternative?

Vista Alternative has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Alternative?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Alternative is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista Alternative rank in CA?

Vista Alternative is ranked #3737 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Vista Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista Alternative has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Vista Alternative?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Alternative has 32.4% math proficiency and 70.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vista Alternative a charter school?

No, Vista Alternative is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vista Alternative a Title I school?

No, Vista Alternative is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Alternative?

39.0% of students at Vista Alternative 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

City Safety
High (2,542/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Alameda County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fremont Unified
District Enrollment
33,063
Schools in District
44
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,175
District Rank
#23 of 43

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

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