Modesto High

Summary:

Modesto High is a public high school located in Modesto, California, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 2,516 students. The school is part of the Modesto City High District, which is ranked 752 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Modesto High faces several challenges, including consistently ranking in the bottom half of California high schools, with a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger indicating below-average performance. The school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with White and English Language Learner students performing relatively better, while Asian, Hispanic, and Special Education students perform significantly worse compared to state averages. Modesto High's proficiency rates in Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts and Mathematics are well below the state averages, and the school's performance on the California Science Test (CAST) is also significantly lower than the state. Additionally, Modesto High's four-year graduation rate has declined, and its dropout rate and chronic absenteeism rate have increased, both of which are higher than the state averages.

Compared to nearby schools, Modesto High's performance is generally lower than the Thomas Downey High and Grace M. Davis High, which are also part of the Modesto City High District. However, Modesto High outperforms the alternative and continuation schools in the area, such as Robert Elliott Alternative Education Center and Stanislaus Alternative Charter. The high percentage of economically disadvantaged students at Modesto High may be a contributing factor to the school's lower academic performance and higher chronic absenteeism rates.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 18 H St.
       Modesto, CA  95351-3203


(209) 574-1776

District: Modesto City High

SchoolDigger Rank:
1379th of 2,323 California High Schools


Feeder schools for Modesto High:

Elementary:    Burbank Elementary
    Franklin Elementary
    Harriette Kirschen Elementary
    Hart-Ransom Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Mark Twain Junior High

Student/teacher ratio:  21.6 Help
Number of students:  2,405

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
76.5%
Asian:
7.0%
White:
6.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  80.4% Help


 See top rated California high schools

 Compare Modesto High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Modesto High ranks worse than 59.4% of high schools in California. It also ranks 7th among 8 ranked high schools in the Modesto City High School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 31.6. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Modesto High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (76.5%), Asian (7%), two or more races (6.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 80.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Modesto High is 21.6, which is the 3rd best among 8 high schools in the Modesto City High School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Modesto High employs 111.2 full-time teachers.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Modesto High:

SchoolDigger ranks Modesto High 1379th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Modesto High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Modesto City High:

SchoolDigger ranks Modesto City High 752nd of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Modesto High?

Rank History for Modesto High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 68.12 218th 1653 86.8%
2005 65.40 333rd 1901 82.5%
2006 70.75 273rd 1968 86.1%
2007 72.65 216th 2063 89.5%
2008 69.91 274th 2117 87.1%
2009 65.69 327th 2238 85.4%
2010 61.46 479th 2281 79.0%
2011 62.71 448th 2367 81.1%
2012 57.58 601st 2354 74.5%
2013 56.40 620th 2426 74.4%
2015 66.38 628th 1994 68.5%
2016 66.72 635th 2039 68.9%
2017 58.48 828th 2021 59.0%
2018 62.10 756th 2017 62.5%
2019 46.77 1060th 2133 50.3%
2021 49.76 608th 1290 52.9%
2022 37.38 1251st 2123 41.1%
2023 33.52 1319th 2348 43.8%
2024 31.60 1379th 2323 40.6%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.90 243rd 366 33.6%
2019 73.52 105th 422 75.1%
2022 16.67 443rd 515 14.0%
2023 27.96 518th 786 34.1%
2024 7.55 736th 804 8.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.99 636th 938 32.2%
2019 31.87 697th 941 25.9%
2021 51.96 166th 467 64.5%
2022 37.71 597th 1044 42.8%
2023 36.79 554th 1323 58.1%
2024 38.08 530th 1350 60.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 29.22 1018th 1547 34.2%
2024 25.60 1148th 1534 25.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.68 732nd 1862 60.7%
2019 45.86 1030th 1937 46.8%
2021 47.85 578th 1126 48.7%
2022 35.03 1247th 1943 35.8%
2023 32.83 1335th 2247 40.6%
2024 31.89 1378th 2235 38.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.35 765th 1760 56.5%
2019 46.35 934th 1833 49.0%
2021 47.09 549th 1054 47.9%
2022 38.33 1096th 1858 41.0%
2023 32.66 1285th 2118 39.3%
2024 31.28 1318th 2098 37.2%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.18 815th 1052 22.5%
2019 32.34 714th 1117 36.1%
2021 36.44 323rd 555 41.8%
2022 26.13 948th 1161 18.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.01 702nd 1834 61.7%
2019 46.46 944th 1880 49.8%
2021 43.60 597th 1122 46.8%
2022 33.51 1210th 1916 36.8%
2023 31.64 1289th 2207 41.6%
2024 29.34 1336th 2172 38.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.19 371st 581 36.1%
2019 24.17 465th 582 20.1%
2022 22.00 472nd 581 18.8%
2023 14.86 638th 731 12.7%
2024 16.99 587th 712 17.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.96 375th 582 35.6%
2019 83.89 68th 592 88.5%
2022 66.38 130th 522 75.1%
2023 34.02 443rd 720 38.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.60 668th 1742 61.7%
2019 50.33 866th 1814 52.3%
2022 36.44 1168th 1861 37.2%
2023 34.74 1261st 2142 41.1%
2024 31.56 1339th 2125 37.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Modesto High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.41 329th 1173 72.0%
2019 64.12 432nd 1222 64.6%
2022 56.05 519th 1204 56.9%
2023 36.09 826th 1434 42.4%
2024 53.45 534th 1406 62.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Modesto High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Monday, April 23, 2012

Open Quote Modesto High School offers an excellent education for the aspiring student, a plethora of sports and clubs, and a wide sense of community. Although some look down on the school because of its undesirable location, Modesto High is very secure. I have attended the school for four years and have never once encountered any of the rumored gang fights or shootings that some say Modesto High is notorious for. That is a lie. I have received a great education here from a wonderful staff of well-experienced and concerned teachers. The arts programs, including drama, dance, band, orchestra, and choir, are all outstanding. Each performance I see feels like a real professional show. Our sports teams are also very accomplished. The IB Program, similar, yet perhaps more demanding than AP classes, has taught me very much and has helped me find my way into a career that I will enjoy. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Modesto High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1147 119 370 670 9 n/a n/a 0 2315
1989 1079 132 415 691 10 n/a n/a 0 2327
1990 931 109 407 733 10 n/a n/a 0 2190
1991 876 134 414 785 5 n/a n/a 0 2214
1992 944 146 388 853 10 n/a n/a 0 2341
1993 884 120 377 822 8 n/a n/a 0 2211
1994 893 129 382 852 5 n/a n/a 0 2261
1995 978 141 492 916 11 n/a n/a 0 2538
1996 978 141 492 916 11 n/a n/a 0 2538
1997 957 142 616 916 16 n/a n/a 0 2647
1998 928 153 599 965 15 n/a n/a 0 2660
1999 913 160 589 1040 15 n/a n/a 0 2717
2000 919 164 591 1063 14 n/a n/a 0 2751
2001 949 173 562 1147 12 n/a n/a 2 2845
2002 928 185 545 1322 14 n/a n/a 0 2994
2003 928 185 545 1322 14 n/a n/a 0 2994
2004 952 163 511 1352 15 n/a n/a 5 2998
2005 977 184 507 1464 16 n/a n/a 3 3151
2006 946 190 547 1495 23 n/a n/a 7 3208
2007 856 175 499 1579 18 n/a n/a 23 3150
2008 734 174 463 1588 26 n/a n/a 0 2985
2009 684 156 387 1576 18 41 51 0 2913
2010 626 126 353 1727 11 27 63 0 2933
2011 506 100 306 1536 9 21 105 0 2583
2012 412 93 297 1482 11 24 148 0 2467
2013 343 88 280 1529 7 19 184 0 2450
2014 318 94 272 1523 7 14 207 0 2435
2015 286 78 257 1588 11 13 168 0 2401
2016 295 72 248 1657 13 7 158 0 2450
2017 283 60 247 1742 9 7 115 0 2463
2018 281 63 229 1826 9 8 128 0 2544
2019 267 66 227 1807 11 16 120 0 2514
2020 223 61 217 1846 7 21 132 0 2507
2021 205 62 204 1938 10 17 129 0 2565
2022 205 52 192 1892 11 15 150 0 2517
2023 183 53 180 1912 7 13 168 0 2516
2024 163 55 168 1840 7 9 163 0 2405

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Modesto High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 2315 97.8 23.6 n/a
1989 2327 94.6 24.5 n/a
1990 2190 98.1 22.3 n/a
1991 2214 94.6 23.4 n/a
1992 2341 96.1 24.3 23.4
1993 2211 88.6 25.0 11.6
1994 2261 89.4 25.3 26
1995 2538 99.0 25.6 40.1
1996 2538 99.0 25.6 40.1
1997 2647 103.7 25.5 17.8
1998 2660 102.8 25.9 26.1
1999 2717 101.9 26.7 24.3
2000 2751 104.0 26.5 26.9
2001 2845 111.4 25.5 30.3
2002 2994 117.4 25.5 47.2
2003 2994 117.4 25.5 47.2
2004 2998 114.3 26.2 53.6
2005 3151 115.9 27.2 55.2
2006 3208 119.8 26.8 58.6
2007 3150 118.9 26.5 62.8
2008 2985 130.3 22.9 65.2
2009 2913 113.7 22.9 63.8
2010 2933 106.8 27.4 71.2
2011 2583 n/a n/a 65.1
2012 2467 92.4 26.6 n/a
2013 2450 93.9 26.0 68.4
2014 2435 98.2 24.7 70.8
2015 2401 95.0 25.2 76.3
2016 2450 97.0 25.2 77.8
2017 2463 99.0 24.8 77
2018 2544 99.9 25.4 78.7
2019 2514 100.3 25.0 78.2
2020 2507 n/a n/a 80.2
2021 2565 101.6 25.2 78.7
2022 2517 107.7 23.3 81.8
2023 2516 99.0 25.3 80.8
2024 2405 111.2 21.6 80.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Modesto High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 2315 97.8 23.6 n/a
1989 2327 94.6 24.5 n/a
1990 2190 98.1 22.3 n/a
1991 2214 94.6 23.4 n/a
1992 2341 96.1 24.3 23.4
1993 2211 88.6 25.0 11.6
1994 2261 89.4 25.3 26
1995 2538 99.0 25.6 40.1
1996 2538 99.0 25.6 40.1
1997 2647 103.7 25.5 17.8
1998 2660 102.8 25.9 26.1
1999 2717 101.9 26.7 24.3
2000 2751 104.0 26.5 26.9
2001 2845 111.4 25.5 30.3
2002 2994 117.4 25.5 47.2
2003 2994 117.4 25.5 47.2
2004 2998 114.3 26.2 53.6
2005 3151 115.9 27.2 55.2
2006 3208 119.8 26.8 58.6
2007 3150 118.9 26.5 62.8
2008 2985 130.3 22.9 65.2
2009 2913 113.7 22.9 63.8
2010 2933 106.8 27.4 71.2
2011 2583 n/a n/a 65.1
2012 2467 92.4 26.6 n/a
2013 2450 93.9 26.0 68.4
2014 2435 98.2 24.7 70.8
2015 2401 95.0 25.2 76.3
2016 2450 97.0 25.2 77.8
2017 2463 99.0 24.8 77
2018 2544 99.9 25.4 78.7
2019 2514 100.3 25.0 78.2
2020 2507 n/a n/a 80.2
2021 2565 101.6 25.2 78.7
2022 2517 107.7 23.3 81.8
2023 2516 99.0 25.3 80.8
2024 2405 111.2 21.6 80.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Modesto High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1060th of 2133 High schoolsRanks 1319th of 2348 High schools
 6.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade Science (Modesto High)4.44.1
 0.3%
   10th Grade Science (Modesto City High)6.46.1
 0.3%
   10th Grade Science (California)23.224.1
 0.9%
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Modesto High)5646.4
 9.6%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Modesto City High)50.845
 5.8%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Modesto High)26.311.1
 15.2%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Modesto City High)24.417.4
 7%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Modesto High)29.69.9
 19.7%
   11th Grade Science (Modesto City High)29.225.9
 3.3%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%
12th Grade Science (Modesto High)15.814.6
 1.2%
   12th Grade Science (Modesto City High)8.724.6
 15.8%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.9
 1.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students25142516
 0.1%
African American6653
 19.7%
American Indian117
 36.4%
Asian227180
 20.7%
Hispanic18071912
 5.8%
Pacific Islander1613
 18.8%
White267183
 31.5%
Two or More Races120168
 40%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients78.2%80.8%
 2.6%


Schools Near Modesto High









Frequently Asked Questions about Modesto High

Students at Modesto High are 77% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 7% White, 7% Two or more races, 2% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 2,405 students attended Modesto High.

Modesto High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Burbank Elementary
Elementary : Franklin Elementary
Elementary : Harriette Kirschen Elementary
Elementary : Hart-Ransom Elementary
Elementary : James Marshall Elementary
Elementary : Paradise Elementary
Elementary : Robertson Road Elementary
Elementary : Shiloh Elementary
Middle : Mark Twain Junior High

Modesto High ranks 1379th of 2323 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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