Very Good
#3250 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 34% in state
William J. (pete) Knight High
High School · Antelope Valley Union High
37423 70th St. East, Palmdale, CA 93552
Enrollment
2,520
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,520
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmdale
#6 of 43
public schools
California high schools
#609 of 1,892
In district
#3 of 13
Antelope Valley Union High
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About William J. (pete) Knight High
William J. (Pete) Knight High serves 2,520 students in grades 9-12 in Palmdale, California, operating as a regular public high school in Los Angeles County. With 114 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1, typical for a large high school setting. The school is working to strengthen its academic performance, with current test scores showing room for growth.
In English Language Arts, 46% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents a greater challenge with 13% achieving proficiency. These results place Knight High in the 35th percentile statewide, ranking #6216 among California's 9566 high schools. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where families have a median household income of $85,890 and median home values reach $383,300.
The surrounding ZIP code of 93552 houses 43,371 residents, with 14% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.7%. As one of the larger high schools in the Antelope Valley, Knight High provides educational services to a significant portion of Palmdale's student population. The school sits in a large suburban setting that reflects the growing residential character of northern Los Angeles County.
What Parents Should Know
William J. (pete) Knight High is a large school with 2,520 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 William J. (pete) Knight High is 22.1:1, 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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William J. (pete) Knight High — Students at William J. (pete) Knight High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.
How William J. (pete) Knight High Compares
See how William J. (pete) Knight High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 13.07% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 46.34% (2024).
Location
37423 70th St. East, Palmdale, CA 93552
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William J. (pete) Knight High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Barrel Springs Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Palmdale Academy Charter (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy (rated 6.7/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palmdale, see our Palmdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Los Amigos - Dual Immersion Palmdale | 0.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Golden Poppy Elementary Palmdale | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy Palmdale | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Quail Valley Elementary Palmdale | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Chaparral Prep Academy Palmdale | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Yellen Learning Center Palmdale | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Antelope Valley Learning Academy Lancaster | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Cimarron Elementary Palmdale | 2.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Mesquite Elementary Palmdale | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Alpine Elementary Littlerock | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Innovations Academy of Palmdale Palmdale | 3.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Palmdale Academy Charter Palmdale | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Daisy Gibson Elementary Palmdale | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Antelope Elementary Littlerock | 3.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Keppel Academy Littlerock | 3.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Oak Tree Community Day Palmdale | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Barrel Springs Elementary Palmdale | 3.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy Palmdale | 3.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Palmdale Aerospace Academy Palmdale | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93552 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,894
Median Home Value
$414,600
Median Rent
$1,851/mo
Population
43,903
College Educated
11.9%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
45.9 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Median Age
33.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding William J. (pete) Knight High has a median household income of $84,894. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $414,600, with a median rent of $1,851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute in the area is 46 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrew P. Hill High San Jose, CA | 7.0 |
| Antelope Valley High Lancaster, CA | 7.0 |
| Arcadia High Arcadia, CA | 7.0 |
| Arroyo High San Lorenzo, CA | 7.0 |
| Bell Gardens High Bell Gardens, CA | 7.0 |
| Cajon High San Bernardino, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William J. (pete) Knight High
What grades does William J. (pete) Knight High serve?
William J. (pete) Knight High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend William J. (pete) Knight High?
William J. (pete) Knight High has an enrollment of approximately 2,520 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William J. (pete) Knight High?
The student-teacher ratio at William J. (pete) Knight High is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William J. (pete) Knight High rank in CA?
William J. (pete) Knight High is ranked #3250 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is William J. (pete) Knight High's MySchoolScout rating?
William J. (pete) Knight High 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 William J. (pete) Knight High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William J. (pete) Knight High has 13.7% math proficiency and 46.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William J. (pete) Knight High a charter school?
No, William J. (pete) Knight High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William J. (pete) Knight High a Title I school?
No, William J. (pete) Knight High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William J. (pete) Knight High?
65.2% of students at William J. (pete) Knight 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
- 2,520
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 114
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (661) 533-9000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Antelope Valley Union High- District Enrollment
- 21,737
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,984
- District Rank
- #3 of 13
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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