Academy of the Canyons

Summary:

Academy of the Canyons is a high-performing public high school serving 396 students in grades 9-12 in Santa Clarita, California, which is part of the William S. Hart Union High School District. This school has consistently been one of the top-ranked high schools in the state, with a statewide ranking that has ranged from 4th to 68th out of over 2,000 California high schools in recent years.

Academy of the Canyons stands out for its exceptional academic performance, with consistently high proficiency rates on state assessments that significantly outperform the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, 81.44% of 11th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 73.48% for the district and 55.73% for the state. The school also maintains a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and has consistently high graduation rates of 99-100% and very low dropout rates of 0-1.9%. Notably, the school's strong performance extends across various student subgroups, including female, male, Asian, Hispanic, and white students, as well as students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

While Academy of the Canyons is a standout performer, the nearby schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District also demonstrate strong academic achievement, with several other high-ranking schools such as Valencia High and West Ranch High. However, some nearby schools, such as Golden Valley High and Bowman (Jereann) High (Continuation), have lower academic performance compared to Academy of the Canyons and the district as a whole.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd.
       Santa Clarita, CA  91355-1803


(661) 362-3056

District: William S. Hart Union High

SchoolDigger Rank:
68th of 2,323 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,387 Help


Feeder schools for Academy of the Canyons:

Elementary:    Bridgeport Elementary
    Canyon Springs Community Elementary
    Castaic Elementary
    Cedarcreek Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Arroyo Seco Junior High
    Castaic Middle
    La Mesa Junior High
    Placerita Junior High
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  28.1 Help
Number of students:  396

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
41.2%
White:
27.5%
Hispanic:
22.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  12.6% Help


 See top rated California high schools

 Compare Academy of the Canyons to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Academy of the Canyons ranks better than 97.1% of high schools in California. It also ranks first among 9 ranked high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 95.55. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Academy of the Canyons 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
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Compare Details Student population at Academy of the Canyons is diverse. Racial makeup is: Asian (41.2%), White (27.5%), Hispanic (22%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 12.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Academy of the Canyons is 28.1, which is the highest among 9 high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District! (See more...)
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Compare Academy of the Canyons employs 14 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Academy of the Canyons is $8,387, which is the lowest among 9 high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Academy of the Canyons:

SchoolDigger ranks Academy of the Canyons 68th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Academy of the Canyons in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


William S. Hart Union High:

SchoolDigger ranks William S. Hart Union High 243rd of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Academy of the Canyons?

Rank History for Academy of the Canyons

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Rank History for all students at Academy of the Canyons

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 57.48 378th 1653 77.1%
2005 78.01 115th 1901 94.0%
2006 92.44 13th 1968 99.3%
2007 94.27 12th 2063 99.4%
2008 91.13 16th 2117 99.2%
2009 76.05 172nd 2238 92.3%
2010 89.23 41st 2281 98.2%
2011 91.58 22nd 2367 99.1%
2012 87.46 53rd 2354 97.7%
2013 92.39 17th 2426 99.3%
2015 98.74 5th 1994 99.7%
2016 98.29 10th 2039 99.5%
2017 98.20 10th 2021 99.5%
2018 98.97 4th 2017 99.8%
2019 99.29 7th 2133 99.7%
2022 98.83 20th 2123 99.1%
2023 98.35 26th 2348 98.9%
2024 95.55 68th 2323 97.1%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Academy of the Canyons

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 99.72 2nd 1862 99.9%
2019 99.80 4th 1937 99.8%
2023 99.79 10th 2247 99.6%
2024 96.13 58th 2235 97.4%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Academy of the Canyons

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.86 6th 1760 99.7%
2019 98.15 24th 1833 98.7%
2022 97.95 30th 1858 98.4%
2023 97.56 32nd 2118 98.5%
2024 92.69 103rd 2098 95.1%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Academy of the Canyons

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 99.50 3rd 1834 99.8%
2019 99.59 5th 1880 99.7%
2022 99.13 23rd 1916 98.8%
2023 98.83 20th 2207 99.1%
2024 96.52 66th 2172 97.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Academy of the Canyons

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.08 1st 581 99.8%
2019 88.06 43rd 582 92.6%
2022 78.15 120th 581 79.3%
2023 91.21 16th 731 97.8%
2024 74.39 174th 712 75.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Academy of the Canyons

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 99.47 3rd 1742 99.8%
2019 99.76 5th 1814 99.7%
2022 99.89 4th 1861 99.8%
2023 95.52 60th 2142 97.2%
2024 92.40 79th 2125 96.3%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Academy of the Canyons

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.10 10th 1173 99.1%
2019 98.07 9th 1222 99.3%
2022 91.95 61st 1204 94.9%
2023 96.04 19th 1434 98.7%
2024 83.09 125th 1406 91.1%
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.

Academy of the Canyons 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 parent
Sunday, January 19, 2020

Open Quote AOC located on the College of the Canyon that students have opportunity to attend college classes with other matuare
college students and able to complete AA, AS, or dual degrees alongside with high school diploma. Close Quote


Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Sunday, October 6, 2013

Open Quote Past student- I went here from my sophomore year till I graduated. I never was into school spirit, however, this school won my heart. It challenged me to be my best and I came out of it more prepared for life than the average high schooler. I learned so much from the teachers, whom of which love what they do and love to make it more than just your usual high school experience. I will forever miss this school. I haven't been able to find any other teachers or professors quite like the ones I found in high school. Close Quote


by a student
Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Open Quote I absolutely love it at AOC! The staff is extremely helpful and really challenge the students to reach their full potential. I started going to Academy of the Canyons for my sophomore year and the students there were very accepting and welcoming. Overall, the student body is much more driven and mature than the average public high school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Academy of the Canyons

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2001 107 5 9 15 1 n/a n/a 0 137
2002 103 8 14 13 0 n/a n/a 0 138
2003 103 8 14 13 0 n/a n/a 0 138
2004 100 5 13 18 0 n/a n/a 0 136
2005 123 12 19 39 3 n/a n/a 0 196
2006 113 11 26 38 5 n/a n/a 0 193
2007 113 12 27 27 1 n/a n/a 0 180
2008 114 8 30 38 n/a n/a n/a 0 190
2009 142 8 43 36 0 0 0 0 229
2010 191 18 67 95 0 3 1 0 375
2011 198 18 64 101 0 3 4 0 388
2012 202 16 76 82 0 4 9 0 389
2013 185 15 87 72 0 1 18 0 378
2014 172 10 96 73 0 0 22 0 373
2015 162 7 122 77 0 0 19 0 387
2016 156 8 121 90 0 0 20 0 395
2017 141 6 147 91 0 0 22 0 407
2018 134 6 151 91 1 0 23 0 406
2019 139 6 160 80 0 0 26 0 411
2020 121 5 170 81 0 0 29 0 406
2021 127 8 162 90 0 0 27 0 414
2022 114 11 157 85 0 0 28 0 395
2023 109 16 163 87 0 1 20 0 396

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 Academy of the Canyons

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2001 137 4.0 34.3 0
2002 138 4.8 28.8 0
2003 138 4.8 28.8 0
2004 136 4.8 28.3 0
2005 196 6.0 32.7 0
2006 193 6.0 32.2 0.5
2007 180 6.0 30.0 1.1
2008 190 8.0 23.8 3.2
2009 229 7.0 25.4 1.3
2010 375 13.0 28.8 6.7
2011 388 n/a n/a 5.7
2012 389 12.7 30.5 n/a
2013 378 12.7 29.6 7.1
2014 373 12.5 29.7 11.3
2015 387 12.0 32.2 10.6
2016 395 12.0 32.9 7.8
2017 407 12.9 31.4 8.4
2018 406 13.1 30.8 14.8
2019 411 13.1 31.2 14.1
2020 406 n/a n/a 13.1
2021 414 14.0 29.4 14.3
2022 395 14.0 28.2 13.4
2023 396 14.0 28.1 12.6

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 Academy of the Canyons

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2001 137 4.0 34.3 0
2002 138 4.8 28.8 0
2003 138 4.8 28.8 0
2004 136 4.8 28.3 0
2005 196 6.0 32.7 0
2006 193 6.0 32.2 0.5
2007 180 6.0 30.0 1.1
2008 190 8.0 23.8 3.2
2009 229 7.0 25.4 1.3
2010 375 13.0 28.8 6.7
2011 388 n/a n/a 5.7
2012 389 12.7 30.5 n/a
2013 378 12.7 29.6 7.1
2014 373 12.5 29.7 11.3
2015 387 12.0 32.2 10.6
2016 395 12.0 32.9 7.8
2017 407 12.9 31.4 8.4
2018 406 13.1 30.8 14.8
2019 411 13.1 31.2 14.1
2020 406 n/a n/a 13.1
2021 414 14.0 29.4 14.3
2022 395 14.0 28.2 13.4
2023 396 14.0 28.1 12.6

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 Academy of the Canyons

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $8,387

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Academy of the Canyons

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 7th of 2133 High schoolsRanks 26th of 2348 High schools
 0.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Academy of the Canyons)10094
 6%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (William S. Hart Union High)79.875.1
 4.7%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Academy of the Canyons)94.168
 26.1%
   11th Grade Mathematics (William S. Hart Union High)51.343.2
 8.1%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
12th Grade Science (Academy of the Canyons)6458.5
 5.5%
   12th Grade Science (William S. Hart Union High)41.343.3
 2%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.8
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students411396
 3.6%
African American616
 166.7%
American Indian00
Asian160163
 1.9%
Hispanic8087
 8.8%
Pacific Islander01
White139109
 21.6%
Two or More Races2620
 23.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients14.1%12.6%
 1.5%


Schools Near Academy of the Canyons









Frequently Asked Questions about Academy of the Canyons

Yes! Academy of the Canyons is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 68th of 2323 California high schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 396 students attended Academy of the Canyons.

Students at Academy of the Canyons are 41% Asian, 28% White, 22% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 4% African American.

Academy of the Canyons is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bridgeport Elementary
Elementary : Canyon Springs Community Elementary
Elementary : Castaic Elementary
Elementary : Cedarcreek Elementary
Elementary : Charles Helmers Elementary
Elementary : Dr. J. Michael McGrath Elementary
Elementary : Emblem Academy
Elementary : Fair Oaks Ranch Community
Elementary : Golden Oak Community
Elementary : Highlands Elementary
Elementary : James Foster Elementary
Elementary : Leona H. Cox Community Elementary
Elementary : Live Oak Elementary
Elementary : Meadows Elementary
Elementary : Mint Canyon Community Elementary
Elementary : Mitchell Community Elementary
Elementary : Mountainview Elementary
Elementary : Newhall Elementary
Elementary : North Park Elementary
Elementary : Northlake Hills Elementary
Elementary : Oak Hills Elementary
Elementary : Old Orchard Elementary
Elementary : Peachland Avenue Elementary
Elementary : Pico Canyon Elementary
Elementary : Pinetree Community Elementary
Elementary : Plum Canyon Elementary
Elementary : Rio Vista Elementary
Elementary : Rosedell Elementary
Elementary : Santa Clarita Elementary
Elementary : Skyblue Mesa Elementary
Elementary : Stevenson Ranch Elementary
Elementary : Sulphur Springs Community Elementary
Elementary : Tesoro del Valle Elementary
Elementary : Valencia Valley Elementary
Elementary : Valley View Community Elementary
Elementary : West Creek Academy
Elementary : Wiley Canyon Elementary
Middle : Arroyo Seco Junior High
Middle : Castaic Middle
Middle : La Mesa Junior High
Middle : Placerita Junior High
Middle : Rancho Pico Junior High
Middle : Rio Norte Junior High
Middle : Sierra Vista Junior High


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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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