Average
#6878 of 9,533 schools in CA
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy
School · West Contra Costa Unified
2625 Barnard Rd., San Pablo, CA 94806
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Pablo
#4 of 9
public schools
California schools
#297 of 475
In district
#37 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy in San Pablo, California offers a unique learning environment for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 531 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. The campus is situated in a large suburban area, offering a quiet setting conducive to independent study and virtual learning.
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy focuses on alternative education methods tailored to individual needs. While the MySchoolScout Rating stands at 4.8 out of 10, with room for academic growth, the school continues to support students in developing critical thinking and self-directed learning skills. According to state rankings, Vista ranks at #5742 among California schools, placing it around the 40th percentile statewide.
In terms of proficiency scores, 26% of students meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts/Reading, while 18% do so in Math. These numbers highlight areas where additional support and resources can be beneficial for student development. Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy is nestled in a supportive suburban community that values personalized education tailored to the needs of each learner.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy — Students at Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 20 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: 8.6/10.
How Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy Compares
See how Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 15.12% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 25.71% (2024).
Location
2625 Barnard Rd., San Pablo, CA 94806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Middle College High (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is A BETTER CHANCE SCHOOL/CAL AUTISM FOUNDATION (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Pablo, see our San Pablo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Elementary Richmond | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy Oakland | 0.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Summit Public School: Tamalpais Richmond | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| PATTYS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Richmond | 0.8 mi | — |
| Aspire Richmond Technology Academy Oakland | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Middle College High San Pablo | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Helms Middle San Pablo | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Riverside Elementary Richmond | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| A Better Chance / California Autism Foundation Richmond | 1.4 mi | — |
| A BETTER CHANCE SCHOOL/CAL AUTISM FOUNDATION Richmond | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL Richmond | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| St. Paul School San Pable | 1.3 mi | — |
| Making Waves Academy Richmond | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| St. David School Richmond | 1.5 mi | — |
| ST DAVID SCHOOL Richmond | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Salesian High School d/b/a Salesian College Preparatory Richmond | 1.4 mi | — |
| SALESIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Richmond | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Wildcat Canyon Community School El Sobrante | 1.3 mi | — |
| Bayview Elementary San Pablo | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Betty Reid Soskin Middle El Sobrante | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,818
Median Home Value
$582,000
Median Rent
$2,013/mo
Population
61,749
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
50.6%
Avg Commute
34.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy has a median household income of $82,818. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $582,000, with a median rent of $2,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Big Picture Educational Academy Fresno, CA | 5.4 |
| MethodSchools Murrieta, CA | 5.4 |
| NEWPORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport Beach, CA | 5.4 |
| Mojave River Academy - Silver Mountain Oro Grance, CA | 5.5 |
| TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vista, CA | 5.5 |
| ASA Charter San Bernardino, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy
What grades does Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy serve?
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy?
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 531 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy rank in CA?
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy is ranked #6878 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Independent Study / Virtual Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy has 17.6% math proficiency and 26.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy a charter school?
No, Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy a Title I school?
No, Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy?
54.6% of students at Vista Independent Study / 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,196/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Pablo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 531
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.6%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (510) 231-1431
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #37 of 52
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.