Is Horizons School: Independent Study a good school?

Horizons School: Independent Study ranks in the bottom 20.0% of California alternative schools.

How many students attend Horizons School: Independent Study?

In the 2022-23 school year, 269 students attended Horizons School: Independent Study.

What is the racial makeup of Horizons School: Independent Study?

Students at Horizons School: Independent Study are 41% Hispanic, 29% White, 16% Two or more races, 8% Asian, 6% African American.

Horizons School: Independent Study

Summary:

Horizons School: Independent Study is an alternative public school located in Pleasant Hill, California, serving grades K-12 with a total enrollment of 269 students. The school is part of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, which is ranked 789 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Horizons School has seen a steady increase in its four-year graduation rate, from 70.4% in 2020-2021 to 82.2% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the district's average. However, the school's dropout rate has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 13.2% to 24.1%, which is higher than the state average. Additionally, Horizons School has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate compared to the state and district averages, ranging from 37.9% to 56.9% in recent years. The school's test scores in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are generally lower than the district and state averages across various grade levels.

When compared to other nearby alternative schools, such as Venture (Alternative) and Prospects High (Alternative), Horizons School has higher graduation rates but also higher dropout rates. Venture (Alternative) and Prospects High (Alternative) have lower chronic absenteeism rates than Horizons School. Additionally, Horizons School has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (43.12%) compared to the state average, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families. The school's unique challenges, as an alternative school, may contribute to the higher chronic absenteeism and lower test scores compared to the district and state averages.

Detail:

Public, Alternative K-12

1 Santa Barbara Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-4496

(925) 682-8000

District: Mt. Diablo Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
4692^nd of 5,862 California Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,216

Student/teacher ratio: 14.9

Number of students: 269

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

40.5%

White:

28.6%

Two or more races:

16.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 43.1%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Horizons School: Independent Study to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Horizons School: Independent Study ranks worse than 80% of elementary schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 21.78. (See more...)

Compare Details Horizons School: Independent Study ranks worse than 70% of middle schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.01. (See more...)

Compare Details Horizons School: Independent Study ranks better than 54.5% of high schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 42.62. (See more...)

The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Horizons School: Independent Study freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a high 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

Compare Details Student population at Horizons School: Independent Study is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (40.5%), White (28.6%), two or more races (16%). (See more...)

Compare Details 43.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Horizons School: Independent Study is 14.9. (See more...)

Compare Horizons School: Independent Study employs 17.9 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Horizons School: Independent Study is $15,216.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Horizons School: Independent Study:

SchoolDigger ranks Horizons School: Independent Study 4692^nd of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Horizons School: Independent Study in the ranking list.)

SchoolDigger ranks Horizons School: Independent Study 1945^th of 2777 California public middle schools. (See Horizons School: Independent Study in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Hispanic students:

SchoolDigger ranks Horizons School: Independent Study 1056^th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Horizons School: Independent Study in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

English Language Learner students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

Mt. Diablo Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Mt. Diablo Unified 789^th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Horizons School: Independent Study

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	72.24	1217^th	4809	74.7%
2005	73.32	1194^th	4822	75.2%
2007	61.49	1743^rd	5113	65.9%
2022	63.99	1845^th	5883	68.6%
2023	49.42	2565^th	5874	56.3%
2024	21.78	4692^nd	5862	20.0%

See the entire list of California Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	41.07	2907^th	5264	44.8%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	63.56	1797^th	5635	68.1%
2023	48.91	2465^th	5617	56.1%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	64.52	1746^th	5663	69.2%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	75.25	921^st	5084	81.9%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

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

Rank History for Horizons School: Independent Study

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Rank History for all middle school students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	67.14	482^nd	1769	72.8%
2005	74.42	373^rd	1777	79.0%
2007	74.23	401^st	1999	79.9%
2023	50.25	1160^th	2802	58.6%
2024	27.01	1945^th	2777	30.0%

See the entire list of California Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	61.03	728^th	2549	71.4%
2024	35.49	1549^th	2575	39.8%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	48.41	1090^th	2547	57.2%
2024	26.12	1846^th	2546	27.5%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	53.59	885^th	2391	63.0%
2024	49.13	1008^th	2383	57.7%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

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

Rank History for Horizons School: Independent Study

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Rank History for all high school students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile
2005	75.90	148^th	1901	92.2%
2006	67.05	333^rd	1968	83.1%
2007	56.40	525^th	2063	74.6%
2008	51.02	657^th	2117	69.0%
2009	36.89	1124^th	2238	49.8%
2010	64.28	413^th	2281	81.9%
2011	61.17	481^st	2367	79.7%
2012	61.05	513^th	2354	78.2%
2013	57.87	578^th	2426	76.2%
2015	72.68	495^th	1994	75.2%
2016	65.80	649^th	2039	68.2%
2017	74.39	513^th	2021	74.6%
2018	70.56	584^th	2017	71.0%
2019	80.04	362^nd	2133	83.0%
2022	61.20	690^th	2123	67.5%
2023	53.45	791^st	2348	66.3%
2024	42.62	1056^th	2323	54.5%

See the entire list of California Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school English Language Learner students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	74.73	49^th	1323	96.3%
2024	51.23	234^th	1350	82.7%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	62.93	569^th	2247	74.7%
2024	26.59	1502^nd	2235	32.8%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	60.35	714^th	1760	59.4%
2019	65.89	538^th	1833	70.6%
2022	54.95	720^th	1858	61.2%
2023	50.20	814^th	2118	61.6%
2024	33.80	1254^th	2098	40.2%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	76.28	431^st	1834	76.5%
2019	87.47	199^th	1880	89.4%
2023	56.92	661^st	2207	70.0%
2024	42.79	978^th	2172	55.0%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school African American students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	46.38	333^rd	720	53.8%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	58.36	631^st	2142	70.5%
2024	37.61	1192^nd	2125	43.9%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Horizons School: Independent Study

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	53.43	608^th	1173	48.2%
2019	62.26	457^th	1222	62.6%
2023	39.56	757^th	1434	47.2%
2024	25.25	985^th	1406	29.9%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative 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.

Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Horizons School: Independent Study

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1991	299	12	11	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	347
1992	278	21	11	42	0	n/a	n/a	0	352
1993	142	1	9	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	173
1994	285	8	11	18	2	n/a	n/a	0	324
1995	360	21	15	30	2	n/a	n/a	0	428
1996	360	21	15	30	2	n/a	n/a	0	428
1997	354	20	20	45	1	n/a	n/a	0	440
1998	109	3	3	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	145
1999	361	19	19	16	2	n/a	n/a	1	418
2000	369	15	18	34	4	n/a	n/a	0	440
2001	355	9	11	22	1	n/a	n/a	0	398
2002	374	14	14	29	1	n/a	n/a	0	432
2003	374	14	14	29	1	n/a	n/a	0	432
2004	375	9	19	32	1	n/a	n/a	0	436
2005	299	9	15	39	3	n/a	n/a	0	365
2006	244	12	18	31	0	n/a	n/a	0	305
2007	215	4	12	28	1	n/a	n/a	0	260
2008	187	3	12	33	1	n/a	n/a	0	236
2009	132	5	10	18	1	2	1	0	169
2010	129	7	11	21	1	2	1	0	172
2011	118	4	13	30	2	2	4	0	173
2012	123	6	15	34	0	1	12	0	191
2013	146	6	19	43	1	3	13	0	231
2014	123	3	14	41	1	1	5	0	188
2015	89	8	12	25	0	0	4	0	138
2016	70	8	15	36	1	0	15	0	145
2017	77	5	25	37	0	1	13	0	158
2018	74	8	17	39	2	0	11	0	151
2019	88	4	14	29	1	1	18	0	155
2020	87	10	29	49	1	1	15	0	192
2021	75	3	16	56	0	1	19	0	170
2022	140	32	89	181	2	0	87	0	531
2023	77	15	22	109	2	0	43	1	269

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 Horizons School: Independent Study

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	347	15.0	23.1	n/a
1992	352	15.2	23.1	5.1
1993	173	8.0	21.6	19.1
1994	324	9.0	36.0	0
1995	428	9.6	44.6	7.7
1996	428	9.6	44.6	7.7
1997	440	7.2	61.1	0
1998	145	6.8	21.3	14.5
1999	418	0.6	696.7	0
2000	440	17.6	25.0	0
2001	398	16.6	24.0	0
2002	432	19.5	22.2	3
2003	432	19.5	22.2	3
2004	436	18.5	23.6	4.4
2005	365	9.0	40.6	5.5
2006	305	18.0	16.9	0
2007	260	15.0	17.3	5
2008	236	15.0	15.7	8.9
2009	169	14.0	12.1	8.9
2010	172	12.0	14.3	8.1
2011	173	n/a	n/a	8.7
2012	191	10.1	18.9	n/a
2013	231	10.2	22.5	23.8
2014	188	10.3	18.1	16
2015	138	11.0	12.5	22.5
2016	145	12.0	12.0	15.9
2017	158	11.4	13.8	13.3
2018	151	10.0	15.0	31.8
2019	155	14.1	10.9	33.5
2020	192	n/a	n/a	28.1
2021	170	14.1	12.0	24.1
2022	531	27.3	19.4	39.9
2023	269	17.9	14.9	43.1

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 Horizons School: Independent Study

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	347	15.0	23.1	n/a
1992	352	15.2	23.1	5.1
1993	173	8.0	21.6	19.1
1994	324	9.0	36.0	0
1995	428	9.6	44.6	7.7
1996	428	9.6	44.6	7.7
1997	440	7.2	61.1	0
1998	145	6.8	21.3	14.5
1999	418	0.6	696.7	0
2000	440	17.6	25.0	0
2001	398	16.6	24.0	0
2002	432	19.5	22.2	3
2003	432	19.5	22.2	3
2004	436	18.5	23.6	4.4
2005	365	9.0	40.6	5.5
2006	305	18.0	16.9	0
2007	260	15.0	17.3	5
2008	236	15.0	15.7	8.9
2009	169	14.0	12.1	8.9
2010	172	12.0	14.3	8.1
2011	173	n/a	n/a	8.7
2012	191	10.1	18.9	n/a
2013	231	10.2	22.5	23.8
2014	188	10.3	18.1	16
2015	138	11.0	12.5	22.5
2016	145	12.0	12.0	15.9
2017	158	11.4	13.8	13.3
2018	151	10.0	15.0	31.8
2019	155	14.1	10.9	33.5
2020	192	n/a	n/a	28.1
2021	170	14.1	12.0	24.1
2022	531	27.3	19.4	39.9
2023	269	17.9	14.9	43.1

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.

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