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 U.S. and go on to pursue a college degree. The schools on this list provide a particularly notable opportunity for Latino students to succeed. At these schools, Latino students score higher on state tests and graduate at higher rates than Latino students at other Bay Area high schools. They are also more likely to graduate having completed the requirements needed to enter University of California (U.C.) or California State University (C.S.U.) schools. Out of 213 Bay Area high schools, only 14 meet the criteria for this list. For a complete explanation of the methodology, see below.At these schools, Latino students:
- Make up at least one-third of the student population.
- Graduate at rates that exceed state averages.
- Have high college-ready graduation rates, meaning they exceed the state average to have completed the necessary requirements to enter the U.C. or C.S.U. schools.
- Score higher on state tests: They perform higher than 70% of all California students on achievement tests.
GreatSchools commends these 14 exceptional Bay Area schools and applauds the dedicated students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents who work together to make these schools so successful.
Top 14 Bay Area High Schools for Latino Students
(All school information comes from the school website, information provided by the principal, or reviews provided by parents and students on GreatSchools.org)
1: Middle College High School
Public district high school, San Pablo, CA
Middle College High School offers a unique program for students in grades 9 through 12 to earn a high school diploma while concurrently taking college courses and earning college credits in collaboration with Contra Costa College. MCHS provides a nurturing and academically challenging environment for at-risk youth through a program that allows them to build job skills through various internships.
- Total number of students: 285
- Percentage of Latino students: 49%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 10
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 100%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 94%
2: Leadership Public Schools – Hayward
Charter high school, Hayward, CA
Leadership Public School in Hayward has high expectations for all students and offers a campus culture that is supportive and familial. LPS offers innovative instructional strategies to provide frequent interventions for students and to develop self-directed learners. The decision-making process at LPS — hiring teachers, developing curriculum, etc. — is grounded in their mission to prepare students to be extraordinary critical thinkers, passionate lifelong learners, and leaders who embody the virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and humanity.
- Total number of students: 450
- Percentage of Latino students: 61%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 9
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 93%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 97%
3: Impact Academy of Arts and Technology
Charter high school, Hayward, CA
Impact Academy of Arts and Technology provides a rigorous academic program and puts an emphasis on building relationships between young people and adults. All students are part of a close community through the advisory program that supports students’ social, emotional, and academic growth. Students can also intern through the Workplace Learning Experience program.
- Total number of 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-ready (UC/CSU): 100%
4: KIPP San Jose Collegiate
Charter high school, San Jose, CA
KIPP San Jose Collegiate, located in East San Jose, graduated its first class in 2012 with 95% of seniors admitted to at least one four-year college. Many of those students are the first in their family to attend college. KIPP San Jose Collegiate provides a rigorous college preparatory program building skills and character with a goal of developing poised, confident, and articulate leaders. One student reports about KIPP San Jose Collegiate, “All my teachers have always been there to push me, to help me, to inspire me during my path as a student. … I’m proud to say that, as a student, I truly feel prepared … to apply to college.”
- Total number of students: 450
- Percentage of Latino students: 78%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 9
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 86%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 100%
5: Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy
Public district high school, Gilroy, CA
The Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA) is a partnership with Gavilan College in which students spend all four years taking high school and college level classes on the Gavilan College campus. At this selective high school, graduates from GECA have the possibility of earning not only a high school diploma but also an Associate degree or 60 transferable college credits, which give students the opportunity to enter U.C. or C.S.U. schools with the first two years of college fully or nearly completed. GECA is one of the Early College High Schools funded across the U.S. by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Total number of students: 248
- Percentage of Latino students: 42%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 10
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 96%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 79%
6: Oakland Charter High School
Charter high school, Oakland, CA
Recognized by Innovate Public Schools as a Top Performing Bay Area Public School for Low-Income and Latino Students and a 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, yet student scores for math, English, and college entrance exams exceed statewide averages.
- Total number of students: 158
- Percentage of Latino students: 50%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 10
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 87%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 88%
7: Summit Preparatory Charter High School
Charter high school, Redwood City, CA
Summit Prep uses a personalized learning model that enables students to be self-directed and to learn at their own pace while working collaboratively with others on project-based learning. Summit teachers use an innovative technology platform — the Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) — to monitor students’ progress, provide real-time feedback, and make changes to learning plans. Summit Prep reports that last year, 100% of graduates were accepted to a four-year university.
- Total number of students: 425
- Percentage of Latino students: 53%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 8
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 91%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 100%
8: University Preparatory Academy Charter
Charter high school, San Jose, CA
University Preparatory Academy offers an intensive college preparatory program including 13 AP courses and an innovative math, engineering, bio-medical and science program from Project Lead the Way. UPA also integrates theater and performing arts into their program to develop teamwork, creativity and confidence. The small school environment at UPA and the Advisory program allow students to develop meaningful relationships with instructors and other adults who help guide them to meet the rigorous academic requirements.
- Total number of 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-ready (UC/CSU): 100%
9: Gateway High School
Charter high school, San Francisco, CA
Founded in 1998 on the principles that all students can learn at high levels and that they all learn differently, Gateway High School touts that more than 96% of graduates have gone on to college. Gateway provides a rigorous academic program that recognizes and supports individual’s talents and strengths.
- Total number of students: 462
- Percentage of Latino students: 32%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 7
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 95%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 78%
10: KIPP King Collegiate High School
Charter high school, San Lorenzo, CA
A KIPP King Collegiate High School student sums up her experience this way: “Although their goal is to get us to college, I personally find that along the way they help us make our dreams come true.” At KIPP King Collegiate, every student is paired with an advisor who meets with them four times per week to provide proactive and reactive academic, social, and emotional support. The advisor, or “Pride Leader,” builds a deep relationship with students and families and facilitates team-building activities and social-emotional learning circles to develop a strong sense of community.
- Total number of students: 451
- Percentage of Latino students: 48%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 7
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 91%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 81%
11: Oakland Unity High School
Charter high school, Oakland, CA
At Oakland Unity High School, all students have advisors who work with students and families as advocates and mentors. These advisors help guide students through graduation and college admission. Unity students are given opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom and to develop as leaders, creative critical thinkers, compassionate human beings, and effective participants in a multicultural society.
- Total number of students: 252
- Percentage of Latino students: 81%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 8
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 82%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 68%
12: Dozier-Libbey Medical High School
Public district high school, Antioch, CA
Dozier-Libbey Medical High School has a four-year, medically-themed curriculum with a strong emphasis on math and science. Students at Dozier-Libbey are required to take a minimum of four math and four science courses as well as a minimum of two years of foreign language. As a small school, teachers, administrators, and staff have the opportunity to develop and encourage academic relationships with the students. Cross curricular projects are constantly being updated and improved to provide relevance to a variety of careers in health care with assistance from local health care partners that help provide the link between high school, post-secondary education, and the world of work.
- Total number of students: 628
- Percentage of Latino students: 38%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 7
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 98%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 60%
13: Pioneer High School
Public district high school, San Jose, CA
A recent parent of a Pioneer High School student writes: “We love the school, academics and sport programs are great, kids are friendly, teachers are knowledgeable and approachable.” Pioneer High School earned a 2015 California Gold Ribbon School Award recognizing schools demonstrating exemplary student achievement and improved academic performance. In addition to focus on high standards for academics and a commitment to a socially and emotionally healthy environment, Pioneer High also offers opportunities for students to become service-minded citizens.
- Total number of students: 1,648
- Percentage of Latino students: 33%
- GreatSchools rating based on test scores for Latino students: 7
- Graduation rate for Latino students: 99%
- Percentage of Latino graduates who are college-ready (UC/CSU): 43%
14: Ann Sobrato High School
Public district high school, Morgan Hill, CA
Ann Sobrato High School is a California Gold Ribbon Award School serving students from Morgan Hill, San Jose, San Martin, and Coyote Valley. The student population reflects the multicultural and socioeconomic diversity of the population living in the area. ASHSl credits its program strength to a rigorous academic curriculum, advisory program, and Career Technical Education Program.
- Total number of 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-ready (UC/CSU): 47%
Methodology
How did we come up with the GreatSchools list of Top High Schools for Latino Students?
We used the following criteria for the list:
- The GreatSchools Test Score Rating for Latino students is 7 or above (on a scale of 1-10). This means that low-income students in those schools, on average, perform higher than 70% of all students statewide. 59 out of 213 Bay Area high schools with sufficient data meet this threshold.
- The graduation rate for Latino students at the school exceeds the statewide graduation rate of 81%.
- The percent of Latino graduates meeting eligibility requirements for entrance into University of California or California State University exceeds 40%.
- 14 Bay Area high schools meet all three criteria.
How did we rank the schools?
The GreatSchools Rating based on test scores for Latino students is put on a scale of 100 (e.g. rating of 7 = 70), and added to the Latino graduation rate and percent of U.C./C.S.U. eligible grads who are low-income (both on a scale of 100) to create a score on a scale of 300 that equally weights the three metrics. Schools are ranked based on that score.
