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Very Good

#3305 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 35% in state

Western Center Academy

High School · Hemet Unified

2345 Searl Pkwy., Hemet, CA 92543

Charter

Enrollment

741

Student-Teacher

24.7:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hemet

#4 of 22

public schools

California high schools

#620 of 1,892

In district

#5 of 27

Hemet Unified

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Western Center Academy

Western Center Academy serves 741 students in grades 6-12 as a charter high school in Hemet, California. This public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.7 to 1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, providing personalized attention within its rural setting near town. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #905 out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 90% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows solid performance with 57% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, indicating steady progress in this subject area. Western Center Academy's academic score of 9.3 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence despite serving a community where the median household income is $43,881 and 25.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

The school's charter status allows for innovative approaches to education while maintaining high standards for student achievement. Located in the 92543 ZIP code area, the school serves a community of 38,403 residents where the median home value is $199,100 and 12% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Western Center Academy provides quality education in Riverside County's rural landscape, offering students comprehensive middle and high school programs.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Western Center Academy is 24.7:1, 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.

Western Center Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Western Center Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency89.8%
Math vs. State Avg+22.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+43.9 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+33.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation30.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,829

Western Center Academy — Students at Western Center Academy score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.2%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 90.0%
School
State
48.5%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
76%
ELA
91%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2024
Math
57.4%
ELA
90.4%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Western Center Academy Compares

See how Western Center Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

2345 Searl Pkwy., Hemet, CA 92543

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Center Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Valley High (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alessandro High (rated 6.2/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hemet, see our Hemet schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
West Valley High Hemet 1.4 mi 7.1
McSweeny Elementary Hemet 1.4 mi 7.0
Diamond Valley Middle Hemet 1.5 mi 5.6
Rancho Veijo Hemet 1.8 mi
Harmony Elementary Hemet 1.8 mi 4.9
Whittier Elementary Hemet 2.4 mi 6.0
Promises School K-12 Hemet 2.9 mi
Jacob Wiens Elementary Hemet 2.7 mi 4.5
Academy of Innovation Hemet 2.7 mi 6.0
DP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hemet 2.7 mi 6.1
DP Christian School Hemet 2.7 mi
Spectrum Center Hemet Hemet 3.1 mi
Unity Educational Academy Hemet 3.1 mi
REVELATION SCHOOL OF FLORIDA Hemet 3.0 mi 6.3
Hemet Elementary Hemet 3.2 mi 4.9
Acacia Middle Hemet 3.3 mi 5.2
Alessandro High Hemet 3.5 mi 6.2
Lightways Academy Sage 3.7 mi
PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL Hemet 3.8 mi
Ramona Elementary Hemet 3.5 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92543 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,002

Median Home Value

$250,800

Median Rent

$1,306/mo

Population

39,878

College Educated

12.7%

Homeownership

56%

Avg Commute

37.4 min

Poverty Rate

22.7%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Western Center Academy has a median household income of $47,002. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $250,800, with a median rent of $1,306/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
EPIC de Cesar Chavez Tehachapi, CA 7.0
Hawthorne Math and Science Academy Hawthorne, CA 7.0
IMMACULATE HEART Los Angeles, CA 7.0
John F. Kennedy High Norco, CA 7.0
MARANATHA HIGH SCHOOL Pasadena, CA 7.0
Rise Kohyang High Los Angeles, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western Center Academy

What grades does Western Center Academy serve?

Western Center Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Western Center Academy?

Western Center Academy has an enrollment of approximately 741 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Center Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Western Center Academy is 24.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Western Center Academy rank in CA?

Western Center Academy is ranked #3305 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Western Center Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Center Academy has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Western Center Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Center Academy has 62.2% math proficiency and 90.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Western Center Academy a charter school?

Yes, Western Center Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Western Center Academy a Title I school?

No, Western Center Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Center Academy?

61.7% of students at Western Center 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,067/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
741
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hemet Unified
District Enrollment
22,736
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,819
District Rank
#5 of 27

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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