Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.3%
Math vs. State Avg-14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,701

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 46.6%
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
15%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
13.1%
ELA
46.3%

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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
114 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,441/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Antelope Valley Union High
District Enrollment
21,737
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,984
District Rank
#3 of 13

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

Related reading

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.