Fortuna Union High

The Fortuna Union High School District in California consists of three high schools: Fortuna Union High, Academy of the Redwoods, and East High (Continuation). The data analysis reveals significant performance differences among these schools, with Academy of the Redwoods standing out as a top-performing institution in the state, while East High (Continuation) struggles with low graduation rates, high dropout rates, and extremely high chronic absenteeism.

Academy of the Redwoods consistently ranks among the top 3% of California high schools, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. This school boasts a 96.7% 4-year graduation rate, a low 3.3% dropout rate, and significantly outperforms the district and state averages on standardized tests. In contrast, East High (Continuation) ranks in the bottom 25% of California high schools, with an 83% graduation rate, a 10.6% dropout rate, and very low proficiency rates on assessments.

The data also highlights the relationship between school type, student demographics, and performance. Academy of the Redwoods serves a lower percentage of economically disadvantaged students compared to the other schools, which may contribute to its stronger academic results. Addressing the challenge of chronic absenteeism, particularly at East High (Continuation), could be a key lever for improving educational outcomes across the district. The presence of a top-performing school like Academy of the Redwoods within the district provides families with a strong public school choice, but ensuring equitable access to high-quality options for all students remains an important consideration.