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Average

#4963 of 9,539 schools in CA

Wilson Alternative

School · Santa Clara Unified

1840 Benton St., Santa Clara, CA 95050

Enrollment

158

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,963 of 9,539

In Santa Clara

#20 of 23

public schools

In district

#25 of 28

Santa Clara Unified

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Wilson Alternative

6.3/10

School in Santa Clara · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

C. W. Haman Elementary

7.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Scott Lane Elementary

6.0/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wilson Alternative

Wilson Alternative is a public school in Santa Clara, CA, part of Santa Clara Unified. Wilson Alternative serves approximately 158 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilson Alternative has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,963 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Wilson Alternative show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 7.8
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 158 students, Wilson Alternative is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Wilson Alternative sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

82% of students at Wilson Alternative were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change+1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-23.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness3.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate37%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,283
Chronic Absenteeism81.6%

Wilson Alternative — Students at Wilson Alternative score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

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 17.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 40.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
63.2%
ELA
68.7%
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: 9.9/10.

How Wilson Alternative Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
81.6%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Millikin Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westwood Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 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 7.4
Scott Lane Elementary Santa Clara 0.8 mi 6.0
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 7.5
Westwood Elementary Santa Clara 1.0 mi 8.8
Washington Open Elementary Santa Clara 0.8 mi 9.2
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 7.8
ST JUSTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Clara 1.2 mi 4.7
Juan Cabrillo Middle Santa Clara 1.2 mi 8.5
Bowers Elementary Santa Clara 1.4 mi 7.6
CHILDREN'S WORLD BILINGUAL MONTESSORI Santa Clara 1.3 mi
Millikin Elementary Santa Clara 1.6 mi 9.2
Santa Clara High Santa Clara 1.5 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ILM ACADEMY Fremont, CA 6.3
SCHOLARS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Burbank, CA 6.3
William Finch Orland, CA 6.3
APPLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Apple Valley, CA 6.2
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hollister, CA 6.2
LAKE ARROWHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Twin Peaks, CA 6.2

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 ranks #4,963 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Wilson Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilson Alternative has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Wilson Alternative?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilson Alternative has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
81.6%
4-Year Graduation
37.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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