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Very Good

#3191 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 34% in state

Wilson Alternative

School · Santa Clara Unified

1840 Benton St., Santa Clara, CA 95050

Enrollment

158

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Clara

#14 of 23

public schools

California schools

#61 of 475

In district

#16 of 28

Santa Clara Unified

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Wilson Alternative

Wilson Alternative is a unique educational option in Santa Clara, California, catering to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 158 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment with smaller class sizes compared to many traditional schools. Wilson Alternative is dedicated to fostering creativity and individuality through its alternative education model.

Academically, Wilson Alternative has some areas for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #4558 out of 9566 schools in California. The school's academic score is 3.9 out of 10, with notably stronger performance in ELA/Reading at 47% proficiency compared to Math, where only 12% of students are proficient or above. Despite these challenges, Wilson Alternative remains committed to supporting its diverse student body and providing a nurturing environment for growth.

Located in the heart of Santa Clara, Wilson Alternative benefits from being situated within a mid-size city that offers both urban amenities and suburban charm. The school's setting allows it to be part of an active community while maintaining its focus on innovative educational approaches.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 158 students, Wilson 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.

While current test scores at Wilson Alternative 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 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.6%
Math vs. State Avg-15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-23.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,111

Wilson Alternative — Students at Wilson Alternative score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 11.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 46.9%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2024
Math
8.6%
ELA
39.1%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Wilson Alternative Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

1840 Benton St., Santa Clara, CA 95050

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilson Alternative may also want to explore other schools in the area. Washington Open Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bowers Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Millikin Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Clara, see our Santa Clara schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
C. W. Haman Elementary Santa Clara 0.5 mi 6.7
Scott Lane Elementary Santa Clara 0.8 mi 6.3
St. Clare Elementary Santa Clara 0.7 mi
ST CLARES SCHOOL Santa Clara 0.7 mi 5.8
Buchser Middle Santa Clara 0.7 mi 7.8
Westwood Elementary Santa Clara 1.0 mi 5.8
Washington Open Elementary Santa Clara 0.8 mi 8.8
Pacific Autism Center for Education - Pruneridge Campus Santa Clara 1.2 mi
ESTHER B CLARK SCHOOL - SOUTH BAY San Jose 1.2 mi 5.6
Esther B. Clark School - South Bay San Jose 1.2 mi
Pacific Autism Center for Education - Sunny Days Campus San Jose 1.2 mi
PACIFIC AUTISM CENTER FOR EDUCATION San Jose 1.3 mi
St. Justin Santa Clara 1.2 mi
Central Park Elementary Santa Clara 1.1 mi 5.2
ST JUSTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Clara 1.2 mi 4.7
Juan Cabrillo Middle Santa Clara 1.2 mi 7.8
Bowers Elementary Santa Clara 1.4 mi 8.7
CHILDREN'S WORLD BILINGUAL MONTESSORI Santa Clara 1.3 mi
Millikin Elementary Santa Clara 1.6 mi 8.7
Santa Clara High Santa Clara 1.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$130,051

Median Home Value

$1,420,500

Median Rent

$2,522/mo

Population

39,827

College Educated

54.1%

Homeownership

41.3%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wilson Alternative has a median household income of $130,051. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,420,500, with a median rent of $2,522/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Davis School for Independent Study Davis, CA 7.1
JOAN MACY SCHOOL La Verne, CA 7.1
SPIRIT ACADEMY Orange, CA 7.1
STERNE SCHOOL San Francisco, CA 7.1
SUNLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylmar, CA 7.1
APOSTLES LUTHERAN SCHOOL San Jose, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilson Alternative

What grades does Wilson Alternative serve?

Wilson Alternative serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Wilson Alternative?

Wilson Alternative has an enrollment of approximately 158 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilson Alternative?

The student-teacher ratio at Wilson Alternative is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilson Alternative rank in CA?

Wilson Alternative is ranked #3191 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Wilson Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilson Alternative has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Wilson Alternative?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilson Alternative has 11.8% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wilson Alternative a charter school?

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

Is Wilson Alternative a Title I school?

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

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

43.0% of students at Wilson 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 (2,694/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Clara Unified
District Enrollment
14,236
Schools in District
30
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,283
District Rank
#16 of 28

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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