Saddleback High

Summary:

Saddleback High is a public high school located in Santa Ana, California, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 1,597 students. The school is part of the Santa Ana Unified School District, which is ranked 1,241 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Saddleback High has consistently ranked in the bottom half of California high schools, with a ranking between 1,028 and 1,534 out of over 2,000 schools in recent years, and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating it is performing below average compared to other California high schools. The school has maintained a relatively high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 93% to 97% in recent years, but its dropout rate has been higher than the state average, ranging from 0.6% to 1.4% in the past few years. Saddleback High has also experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, from 12% in 2017-2018 to 29.7% in 2021-2022. The school's test scores in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are consistently lower than the Santa Ana Unified School District and the state of California averages, with particularly low performance in Mathematics.

Saddleback High's performance is generally lower than the nearby high schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District, such as Hector G. Godinez and Segerstrom High, which have higher statewide rankings and better academic outcomes. However, Saddleback High outperforms some of the smaller, more specialized high schools in the area, such as Cesar E. Chavez High and Lorin Griset Academy, which have even lower test scores and graduation rates. The school's high chronic absenteeism rate is likely linked to its high percentage of low-income students, with over 69% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 2801 South Flower
       Santa Ana, CA  92707-3935


(714) 513-2900

District: Santa Ana Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
1520th of 2,323 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,442 Help


Feeder schools for Saddleback High:

Elementary:    Franklin Elementary
    Manuel Esqueda Elementary
    Martin Elementary
    Taft Elementary
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  21.4 Help
Number of students:  1,597

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
95.4%
Asian:
2.4%
White:
1.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  69.8% Help


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 Compare Saddleback High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Saddleback High ranks better than 67.6% of middle schools in California. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 59.27. (See more...)
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Compare Details Saddleback High ranks worse than 65.4% of high schools in California. It also ranks 5th among 10 ranked high schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 26.33. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Saddleback 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 (95.4%), Asian (2.4%), White (1.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 69.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Saddleback High is 21.4. 6 high schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Saddleback High employs 74.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Saddleback High is $9,442, which is the 4th highest among 10 high schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Saddleback High:

SchoolDigger ranks Saddleback High 901st of 2777 California public middle schools. (See Saddleback High in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:

SchoolDigger ranks Saddleback High 1520th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Saddleback High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Santa Ana Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Santa Ana Unified 1241st of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Saddleback High

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Rank History for all middle school students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 57.19 940th 2508 62.5%
2018 53.44 998th 2480 59.8%
2019 47.43 1221st 2715 55.0%
2021 41.96 481st 894 46.2%
2022 56.09 996th 2740 63.6%
2023 68.96 700th 2802 75.0%
2024 59.27 901st 2777 67.6%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.04 604th 2230 72.9%
2019 53.97 903rd 2369 61.9%
2021 64.00 193rd 721 73.2%
2022 70.72 504th 2458 79.5%
2023 85.42 240th 2549 90.6%
2024 74.32 446th 2575 82.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.31 1034th 2262 54.3%
2019 29.72 1634th 2380 31.3%
2021 38.96 420th 738 43.1%
2022 60.63 802nd 2509 68.0%
2023 70.20 614th 2547 75.9%
2024 45.80 1184th 2546 53.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 76.21 506th 2407 79.0%
2021 45.48 369th 763 51.6%
2022 40.14 1337th 2527 47.1%
2024 70.08 627th 2547 75.4%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.84 538th 2072 74.0%
2019 54.75 816th 2213 63.1%
2022 64.37 623rd 2359 73.6%
2023 81.37 290th 2391 87.9%
2024 74.79 422nd 2383 82.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

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

Rank History for Saddleback High

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Rank History for all high school students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 26.69 1022nd 1653 38.2%
2005 32.21 988th 1901 48.0%
2006 26.71 1190th 1968 39.5%
2007 26.73 1244th 2063 39.7%
2008 21.28 1487th 2117 29.8%
2009 26.96 1532nd 2238 31.5%
2010 28.09 1331st 2281 41.6%
2011 30.70 1295th 2367 45.3%
2012 27.43 1374th 2354 41.6%
2013 26.93 1413th 2426 41.8%
2015 26.11 1411th 1994 29.2%
2016 35.17 1274th 2039 37.5%
2017 31.10 1360th 2021 32.7%
2018 36.94 1268th 2017 37.1%
2019 24.81 1533rd 2133 28.1%
2021 20.24 1028th 1290 20.3%
2022 37.79 1239th 2123 41.6%
2023 25.93 1534th 2348 34.7%
2024 26.33 1520th 2323 34.6%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school English Language Learner students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.93 494th 938 47.3%
2019 34.00 635th 941 32.5%
2021 34.25 296th 467 36.6%
2022 37.45 601st 1044 42.4%
2023 31.99 724th 1323 45.3%
2024 31.00 796th 1350 41.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for high school Special Education students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 38.28 743rd 1547 52.0%
2024 19.40 1366th 1534 11.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.90 1102nd 1862 40.8%
2019 27.52 1378th 1937 28.9%
2021 24.55 874th 1126 22.4%
2022 43.86 1022nd 1943 47.4%
2023 31.13 1390th 2247 38.1%
2024 30.44 1413th 2235 36.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Homeless students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 55.22 117th 290 59.7%
2023 47.77 182nd 417 56.4%
2024 68.48 102nd 451 77.4%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.77 1181st 1760 32.9%
2019 20.91 1430th 1833 22.0%
2021 18.46 889th 1054 15.7%
2022 30.29 1265th 1858 31.9%
2023 26.77 1407th 2118 33.6%
2024 25.41 1475th 2098 29.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Disabled students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.54 669th 1052 36.4%
2019 22.27 970th 1117 13.2%
2021 26.13 436th 555 21.4%
2022 36.80 642nd 1161 44.7%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for high school Military Connected students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 11.77 219th 233 6.0%
2024 15.41 217th 234 7.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.76 1220th 1834 33.5%
2019 24.12 1373rd 1880 27.0%
2021 16.68 936th 1122 16.6%
2022 40.63 1040th 1916 45.7%
2023 22.68 1538th 2207 30.3%
2024 25.40 1452nd 2172 33.1%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at Saddleback High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.78 1076th 1742 38.2%
2019 28.68 1281st 1814 29.4%
2022 44.61 968th 1861 48.0%
2023 30.83 1354th 2142 36.8%
2024 32.46 1317th 2125 38.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic 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.

Saddleback 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%

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0%

  

Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Saddleback High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 506 113 488 1742 3 n/a n/a 0 2852
1989 478 111 418 1937 5 n/a n/a 0 2949
1990 409 77 404 1777 3 n/a n/a 0 2670
1991 366 72 416 1971 3 n/a n/a 0 2828
1992 297 61 416 2084 2 n/a n/a 0 2860
1993 254 62 419 2136 2 n/a n/a 0 2873
1994 221 46 366 2128 2 n/a n/a 0 2763
1995 169 42 296 2293 3 n/a n/a 0 2803
1996 169 42 296 2293 3 n/a n/a 0 2803
1997 137 34 257 2331 3 n/a n/a 0 2762
1998 131 38 248 2398 3 n/a n/a 0 2818
1999 134 36 243 2467 3 n/a n/a 1 2884
2000 115 42 236 2592 1 n/a n/a 0 2986
2001 128 42 226 2600 1 n/a n/a 0 2997
2002 131 42 208 2731 2 n/a n/a 4 3118
2003 131 42 208 2731 2 n/a n/a 4 3118
2004 116 29 214 2761 3 n/a n/a 4 3127
2005 121 28 203 2851 3 n/a n/a 2 3208
2006 93 31 144 2441 5 n/a n/a 0 2714
2007 76 20 106 2265 5 n/a n/a 3 2475
2008 50 21 69 2134 4 n/a n/a 0 2278
2009 42 13 54 2024 3 8 0 0 2144
2010 35 12 52 2005 2 5 4 0 2115
2011 34 7 41 1985 2 7 4 0 2080
2012 31 6 42 1917 1 3 3 0 2003
2013 20 4 48 1786 0 0 5 0 1863
2014 28 0 40 1735 1 3 3 0 1810
2015 23 4 50 1607 1 3 2 0 1690
2016 28 4 49 1538 2 2 4 0 1627
2017 31 5 43 1548 2 2 8 0 1639
2018 25 6 49 1532 2 3 9 0 1626
2019 24 5 38 1497 2 2 6 0 1574
2020 24 6 37 1447 3 3 5 0 1525
2021 17 5 36 1503 2 6 6 0 1575
2022 20 6 36 1552 1 4 6 0 1625
2023 19 7 38 1523 0 4 5 1 1597

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 Saddleback High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 2852 115.5 24.6 n/a
1989 2949 119.3 24.7 n/a
1990 2670 108.2 24.6 n/a
1991 2828 108.8 25.9 n/a
1992 2860 110.6 25.8 24.4
1993 2873 101.0 28.4 28
1994 2763 98.5 28.1 36.3
1995 2803 96.8 29.0 41.6
1996 2803 96.8 29.0 41.6
1997 2762 105.0 26.3 48.4
1998 2818 102.8 27.4 53.7
1999 2884 104.3 27.7 57.9
2000 2986 116.4 25.7 58
2001 2997 120.1 25.0 59
2002 3118 133.4 23.4 63
2003 3118 133.4 23.4 63
2004 3127 128.4 24.4 64.1
2005 3208 117.3 27.3 67
2006 2714 103.1 26.3 56.7
2007 2475 102.2 24.2 57.7
2008 2278 106.5 21.4 62.5
2009 2144 89.2 21.6 69.8
2010 2115 84.0 25.1 73.2
2011 2080 n/a n/a 74.3
2012 2003 87.2 22.9 n/a
2013 1863 82.1 22.6 83.4
2014 1810 73.6 24.5 87.6
2015 1690 79.0 21.3 90.5
2016 1627 75.0 21.6 94
2017 1639 76.1 21.5 91.7
2018 1626 76.3 21.3 79.8
2019 1574 72.1 21.8 80.6
2020 1525 n/a n/a 83.3
2021 1575 72.8 21.6 85.6
2022 1625 81.5 19.9 56.6
2023 1597 74.4 21.4 69.8

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 Saddleback High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 2852 115.5 24.6 n/a
1989 2949 119.3 24.7 n/a
1990 2670 108.2 24.6 n/a
1991 2828 108.8 25.9 n/a
1992 2860 110.6 25.8 24.4
1993 2873 101.0 28.4 28
1994 2763 98.5 28.1 36.3
1995 2803 96.8 29.0 41.6
1996 2803 96.8 29.0 41.6
1997 2762 105.0 26.3 48.4
1998 2818 102.8 27.4 53.7
1999 2884 104.3 27.7 57.9
2000 2986 116.4 25.7 58
2001 2997 120.1 25.0 59
2002 3118 133.4 23.4 63
2003 3118 133.4 23.4 63
2004 3127 128.4 24.4 64.1
2005 3208 117.3 27.3 67
2006 2714 103.1 26.3 56.7
2007 2475 102.2 24.2 57.7
2008 2278 106.5 21.4 62.5
2009 2144 89.2 21.6 69.8
2010 2115 84.0 25.1 73.2
2011 2080 n/a n/a 74.3
2012 2003 87.2 22.9 n/a
2013 1863 82.1 22.6 83.4
2014 1810 73.6 24.5 87.6
2015 1690 79.0 21.3 90.5
2016 1627 75.0 21.6 94
2017 1639 76.1 21.5 91.7
2018 1626 76.3 21.3 79.8
2019 1574 72.1 21.8 80.6
2020 1525 n/a n/a 83.3
2021 1575 72.8 21.6 85.6
2022 1625 81.5 19.9 56.6
2023 1597 74.4 21.4 69.8

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.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Saddleback High

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $9,442

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Saddleback 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 1221st of 2715 Middle schoolsRanks 700th of 2802 Middle schools
 20%
Ranks 1533rd of 2133 High schoolsRanks 1534th of 2348 High schools
 6.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Saddleback High)54.659
 4.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Santa Ana Unified)29.729
 0.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.447.4
 3.9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Saddleback High)51.556.4
 4.9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Santa Ana Unified)21.918.5
 3.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (California)37.933.2
 4.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Saddleback High)62.560.6
 1.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Santa Ana Unified)28.226.4
 1.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.445.7
 3.8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Saddleback High)56.324.2
 32%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Santa Ana Unified)19.915.1
 4.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (California)36.629.9
 6.7%
8th Grade Science (Saddleback High)21.927.3
 5.4%
   8th Grade Science (Santa Ana Unified)13.812.1
 1.7%
   8th Grade Science (California)30.828.8
 2.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Saddleback High)25.231.1
 5.9%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Santa Ana Unified)35.340.8
 5.5%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Saddleback High)14.89.4
 5.5%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Santa Ana Unified)20.415.5
 4.8%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
11th Grade Science (Saddleback High)911.4
 2.4%
   11th Grade Science (Santa Ana Unified)14.419
 4.6%
   11th Grade Science (California)30.431.7
 1.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students15741597
 1.5%
African American57
 40%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian3838
Hispanic14971523
 1.7%
Pacific Islander24
 100%
White2419
 20.8%
Two or More Races65
 16.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients80.6%69.8%
 10.9%


Schools Near Saddleback High









Frequently Asked Questions about Saddleback High

Saddleback High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Franklin Elementary
Elementary : Manuel Esqueda Elementary
Elementary : Martin Elementary
Elementary : Taft Elementary
Elementary : Washington Elementary

Students at Saddleback High are 95% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 1% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,597 students attended Saddleback High.

Saddleback High ranks 1520th 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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