For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 1,096 students in Modoc County, CA.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Modoc County, CA are Modoc County Special Education, High Desert Community Day and Surprise Valley Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Modoc County, CA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the California public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 45% statewide average). Elementary schools in Modoc County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Modoc County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Modoc County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
139 Henderson St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7110
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7110
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #22.
High Desert Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
802 North East St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Grades: 6-10
| 4 students
Rank: #33.
Surprise Valley Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
470 Lincoln St.
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-6141
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-6141
Grades: K-7
| 42 students
Rank: #44.
Shasta View Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
675 Shasta View Dr.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Grades: K-12
| 491 students
Rank: #55.
Modoc Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
906 West Fourth St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Grades: 6-8
| 202 students
Rank: #66.
Alturas Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
809 West Eighth St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Grades: K-5
| 357 students
Modoc County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Alturas Community Day (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
809 W. 8th St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7201
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Hwy 299
Canby, CA 96015
(530) 233-7201
Canby, CA 96015
(530) 233-7201
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
205 Ash Valley Rd.
Adin, CA 96006
(530) 299-3271
Adin, CA 96006
(530) 299-3271
Grades: K-3
| 60 students
Great Basin High (Continuation School) (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
Ann And Lincoln St.
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-2387
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-2387
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Modoc County Community - Alturas (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
139 Henderson St
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7103
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7103
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Modoc County Community - Tulelake (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
461 Second St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7103
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7103
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
Modoc County Community School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
139 Henderson St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7146
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-7146
Grades: 8-11
| 9 students
Modoc County Juvenile Court (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
Corner Of Co Rds. 82 & 161
Canby, CA 96015
(530) 233-5215
Canby, CA 96015
(530) 233-5215
Grades: K-12
| 11 students
214 W. First St.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Grades: K-12
| 108 students
30611 Whitmore Rd.
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-3861
Grades: K-12
| 459 students
Hwy 395 And County Rd 45
Likely, CA 96116
(530) 233-7201
Likely, CA 96116
(530) 233-7201
Grades: K-5
| 17 students
Surprise Valley Community Day (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
Garfield St.
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-6161
Cedarville, CA 96104
(530) 279-6161
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Modoc County, CA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Modoc County, CA include Modoc County Special Education, High Desert Community Day and Surprise Valley Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Modoc County?
6 public elementary schools are located in Modoc County.
What is the racial composition of students in Modoc County?
Modoc County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.