For the 2025-26 school year, there are 18 alternative public charter schools serving 4,796 students in California.
The top ranked alternative public charter schools in California are Rite Of Passage, Island Community Day and Pathways Charter Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
California alternative public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the California public charter school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Charter Schools in California (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rite Of Passage
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10400 Fricot City Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Gr: 9-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Island Community Day
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1776 Sixth Avenue Dr.
Kingsburg, CA 93631
(559) 897-1046
Kingsburg, CA 93631
(559) 897-1046
Gr: 4-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Pathways Charter Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1895 Lassen Blvd.
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 822-2480
Yuba City, CA 95993
(530) 822-2480
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #44.
Placer County Pathways Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
360 Nevada St.
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 745-1440
Gr: K-12 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Charter Alternative Program (Cap)
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6520 Oak Dell Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-6984
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-6984
Gr: K-8 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
Charter Community School Home Study Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6767 Green Valley Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 295-2271
Gr: K-12 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Golden Gate Community
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1111 Stoneman Ave.
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 427-3199
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 427-3199
Gr: 6-12 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #88.
Venture Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2829 Transworld Dr.
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-5940
Stockton, CA 95213
(209) 468-5940
Gr: K-12 | 1,613 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #99.
Pioneer Technical Center
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1665 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Gr: K-12 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Leadership Military Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
13730 Perris Blvd.
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
(951) 421-8450
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
(951) 421-8450
Gr: 9-12 | 129 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
William Finch
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
607 East Tehama St.
Orland, CA 95963
(530) 865-1683
Orland, CA 95963
(530) 865-1683
Gr: K-12 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
California Heritage Youthbuild Academy Ii
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
8544 Airport Rd.
Redding, CA 96002
(530) 378-5254
Redding, CA 96002
(530) 378-5254
Gr: 9-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Madera County Independent Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1635 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Gr: K-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1414.
Cbk Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3939 13th St.
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-6461
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-6461
Gr: 9-12 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: n/an/a
Open Door Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
901 Blanco Cir.
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 840-8199
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 840-8199
Gr: 9-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
Opportunity Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
313 West Winton Ave.
Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 670-7602
Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 670-7602
Gr: 10-12 | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Phoenix Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
1111 Las Gallinas Ave.
San Rafael, CA 94913
(415) 491-0581
San Rafael, CA 94913
(415) 491-0581
Gr: 9-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
Stanislaus Alternative Charter
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
1325 H St.
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 238-8650
Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 238-8650
Gr: 9-12 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public charter schools in California?
The top ranked alternative public charter schools in California include Rite Of Passage, Island Community Day and Pathways Charter Academy.
How many alternative public charter schools are located in California?
18 alternative public charter schools are located in California.
What is the racial composition of students in California?
California alternative public charter schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
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