Great Schools praises these 14 Bay Area exceptional schools and applauds students, teachers, administrators, employees, and dedicated parents who work together to make these schools so successful.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, 14 extraordinary high schools are helping Latino students reach their goal of going to college and building a career. Many of these students will be the first in their family to graduate from high school in the United States and start a career to earn a college degree. The schools on the list provide a particularly remarkable opportunity for Latino students to succeed. In these schools, Latino students score higher on state tests and graduate at higher rates than Latino students at other high schools in the Bay Area. They are also more likely to graduate having completed the requirements to enter University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) schools. Of the 213 Bay Area high schools, only 14 meet the criteria for this list. For a full explanation of the methodology, see below.
In these schools, Latino students:
They form at least a third of the student population.
They graduate at rates that surpass state averages.
They have high graduation rates that prepare them for college, which means that they exceed the state average of having completed the requirements to enter UC or CSU schools
They score higher on state tests: They score more than 70% of all California students on achievement tests.
Great Schools praises these 14 Bay Area exceptional schools and applauds students, teachers, administrators, employees, and dedicated parents who work together to make these schools so successful.
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1. Middle College High School
Middle College High School offers a unique program for students in grades 9 through 12 to earn a high school diploma while at the same time taking college courses and earning college credit in collaboration with Contra Costa College. MCHS provides an enriching and academically challenging environment for young people who are at risk through a program that allows them to develop work skills through various internships.
Total number of students: 285
Percentage of Latino students: 49%
Great Schools score based on test scores for Latino students: 10
Graduation rate for Latino students: 100%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 94%
2. Leadership Public School
Leadership Public School in Hayward has high expectations for all students and offers a supportive and familiar campus culture. LPS offers innovative teaching strategies to provide frequent interventions for students and to develop freelance students. The decision-making process at LPS (hiring teachers, curriculum development, etc.) is based on its mission to prepare students to be extraordinary critical thinkers, permanently passionate students, and leaders who embody the virtues of wisdom, Value, justice, and humanity.
Total number of students: 450
Percentage of Latino students: 61%
Great Schools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 9
Graduation Rate for Latino Students: 93%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 97%
3. Impact Academy of Arts and Technology
Impact Academy of Arts and Technology offers a rigorous academic program and emphasizes developing relationships between youth and adults. All students are part of a close community through the counseling program that supports students’ social, emotional, and academic growth. Students also take internships through the Workplace Learning Experience program.
Total students: 460
Percentage of Latino students: 62%
GreatSchools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 8
Graduation rate for Latino students: 88%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 100%
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4. KIPP San Jose Collegiate
KIPP San Jose Collegiate, located in East San Jose, graduated its first class in 2012 with 95% of seniors admitted to at least a four-year college. Many of these students are the first in their family to attend college. KIPP San Jose Collegiate offers a rigorous university preparatory program that develops skills and character with the aim of developing prepared, confident and eloquent leaders. A student reports about KIPP San Jose Collegiate: “All my teachers have always been there to encourage me, to help me, to inspire me on my way as a student … I am proud to say that, as a student, I feel truly prepared … to apply for admission to the University.”
Total number of students: 450
Percentage of Latino students: 78%
GreatSchools score based on test scores for Latino students: 9
Graduation rate for Latino students: 86%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 100%
5. Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy
Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA) is a partnership with Gavilan College, where students spend four years taking high school and college level classes at the Gavilan College campus. In this selective high school, GECA graduates have the possibility to obtain not only a high school diploma but also an Associate degree or 60 transferable college credits, which give students the opportunity to enter UC schools or CSU with the first two years of college fully or nearly completed. GECA is one of the Early College high schools funded throughout the United States by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Total students: 248
Percentage of Latino students: 42%
Great Schools score based on test scores for Latino students: 10
Graduation rate for Latino students: 96%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 79%
6. Oakland Charter High School
Recognized by Innovate Public Schools as a Bay Area High-Performance Public School for Latino and Low-Income Students and California Distinguished School Award Winner, Oakland Charter High School aims to give students the skills, knowledge And work ethic they need to succeed after high school. OCHS is located in the heart of downtown Oakland. Nearly 80% of students come from economically disadvantaged families; however, student scores for math, English, and college entrance exams exceed statewide averages.
Total number of students: 158
Percentage of Latino students: 50%
Great Schools score based on test scores for Latino students: 10
Graduation rate for Latino students: 87%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 88%
7. Summit Preparatory Charter High School
Summit Prep uses a personalized learning model that allows students to be self-paced and learn at their own pace while working collaboratively with others on project-based learning. Summit teachers use an innovative technology platform (the PLP Personalized Learning Plan) to monitor student progress, provide real-time feedback, and make changes to learning plans. Summit Prep reports that last year, 99% of graduates were accepted into a four-year college.
Total students: 425
Percentage of Latino students: 53%
Great Schools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 8
Graduation rate for Latino students: 91%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 100%
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8. University Preparatory Academy Charter
University Preparatory Academy offers an intensive college preparatory program, including 13 AP courses and an innovative math, engineering, biomedicine, and science program from Project Lead the Way. UPA also integrates theater and performing arts into its program to develop teamwork, creativity, and trust. The small school environment at UPA and Orientation program allow students to develop meaningful relationships with instructors and other adults that guide them to meet rigorous academic requirements.
Total students: 458
Percentage of Latino students: 32%
GreatSchools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 7
Graduation rate for Latino students: 92%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 100%
9. Gateway High School
Founded in 1998 on the principles that all students can learn at high levels and that everyone learns differently, Gateway High School claims that more than 96% of graduates have gone to college. Gateway offers a rigorous academic program that recognizes and supports the individual’s talents and strengths.
Total students: 462
Percentage of Latino students: 32%
Great Schools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 7
Graduation rate for Latino students: 95%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 78%
10. KIPP King Collegiate High School
A high school student at KIPP King Collegiate High School sums up his experience this way: “Although your goal is for us to enter college, I personally find that along the way they help us to realize our dreams.” At KIPP King Collegiate, each student is assigned a counselor who meets with him / her four times a week to provide proactive, reactive emotional, social, and academic support. The counselor, or “Leader of Pride,” develops a deep relationship with students and families and facilitates activities that develop teamwork and social-emotional learning circles to develop a strong sense of community.
Total students: 451
Percentage of Latino students: 48%
Great Schools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 7
Graduation rate for Latino students: 91%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 81%
11. Oakland Unity High School
At Oakland Unity High School, all students have counselors who work with students and families as counselors and mentors. These counselors guide students through the graduation process and college admission. Unity students receive opportunities to learn in and out of the classroom and to develop as leaders, creative critical thinkers, compassionate human beings, and active participants in a multicultural society.
Total number of students: 252
Percentage of Latino students: 81%
Great Schools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 8
Graduation rate for Latino students: 82%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 68%
12. Dozier-Libbey Medical High School
Dozier-Libbey Medical High School has a four-year program of medical content with a strong emphasis on math and science. Students at Dozier-Libbey are required to take a minimum of four courses in mathematics and four courses in science, as well as a minimum of two years in a foreign language. As a small school, teachers, administrators, and employees have the opportunity to develop and stimulate academic relationships with students. Interdisciplinary projects are being continually updated and improved to give relevance to a variety of healthcare careers with assistance from local health care partners who help provide the link between high school, post-secondary education, and the world of work.
Total number of students: 628
Percentage of Latinos: 38%
Great Schools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 7
Graduation rate for Latino students: 98%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 60%
13. Pioneer High School
A parent of a Pioneer High School student writes: “We love school, academic programs and sports programs are great, kids are friendly, and teachers are knowledgeable and accessible.” Pioneer High School won the 2015 California Gold Ribbon School Award that recognizes schools that demonstrate exemplary student achievement and improved academic performance. In addition to focusing on high standards for the academic program and a commitment to a socially and emotionally healthy environment, Pioneer High School also provides opportunities for students to become citizens with a spirit of service.
Total students: 1,648
Percentage of Latino students: 33%
Great Schools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 7
Graduation rate for Latino students: 9%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 43%
14. Ann Sobrato High School
Ann Sobrato High School is a California Gold Ribbon School that serves students from Morgan Hill, San Jose, San Martin and Coyote Valley. The student population reflects the multicultural and socio-economic diversity of the population living in the area. ASHI attributes the strength of its program to a rigorous curriculum, orientation program, and Career Technical Education Program.
Total students: 1,471
Percentage of Latino students: 44%
GreatSchools Rating Based on Test Scores for Latino Students: 7
Graduation rate for Latino students: 90%
Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-educated (UC / CSU): 47%
Methodology
How do we make the Great Schools list for Best Latino High Schools?
We use the following criteria for the list:
The Great Schools test score for Latino students is 7 or higher (on a 1-10 scale). This means that low-income students in these schools, on average, perform above 70% of all students at the state level. 59 of 213 Bay Area secondary schools with sufficient data meet this threshold.
The graduation rate for Latino students at the school exceeds the statewide graduation rate of 81%.
The percentage of Latino graduates who meet eligibility requirements to enter the University of California or California State University exceeds 40%.
How do we classify schools?
The Great Schools score based on test scores for Latino students is placed on a scale of 100 (for example, grade 7 = 70), and we add to the Latino graduation rate the percentage of UC / CSU eligible graduates who Are low-income (both on a scale of 100) to create a score on a scale of 300 that equally weights all three metrics. Schools are ranked based on that score.
