Dunsmuir Joint Union High, CA

Original Research by School Decision on Dunsmuir Joint Union High

Dunsmuir Joint Union High School District serves the town of Dunsmuir and nearby communities in the far northern reaches of California's Central Valley, near the base of Mount Shasta. The district operates two schools: Dunsmuir High, the main campus, and Dunsmuir Joint Union High Community Day, a smaller program likely serving students with alternative scheduling or academic needs. Together they enroll a very small student body across grades nine through twelve.

The enrollment picture is one of contraction. The district has lost students over recent years, with current enrollment representing a mild ongoing decline. This means families considering the district should understand that it operates at a scale where course selection and extracurricular breadth may be constrained compared to larger regional schools. For some families, the intimacy of a small school is an asset; for others, the limits on program variety matter significantly.

Academically, the recent state assessment results show low proficiency across all tested subjects. In English Language Arts, proficiency sits well below state benchmarks. Mathematics proficiency is lower still, and Science proficiency is markedly low. These numbers are one year old and represent a snapshot; a parent may want to ask the school directly about any recent changes in curriculum, support structures, or student cohort composition that could explain or affect these results going forward. It is also worth noting that state testing at the high school level captures a specific slice of student readiness and does not measure all the ways students grow or succeed, but these results do signal that many students in this district are not yet meeting grade-level standards in core subjects.

The district's four-year budget trajectory is a material consideration. Per-student revenue and spending have both declined substantially over this period, even though spending per student remains well above state mediums. For a very small district, this kind of sustained contraction in resources—whether driven by enrollment loss, shifts in state funding formulas, or reduced local revenue—typically ripples through staffing, course offerings, and the ability to offer support services or enrichment. A parent should ask the school about how these budget pressures have shaped course availability, support for struggling students, and teacher continuity in recent years.

Chronic absenteeism in the district stands below the county median, a positive indicator that students are attending school more regularly than the typical district in Siskiyou County. This can reflect either strong engagement or conditions that make attendance easier; either way, it is a relative strength.

The community itself is small and rural. Housing values in the Dunsmuir area are modest by state standards, and mortgage affordability is better than the California average, though rental costs and unemployment tracking at moderate levels reflect the economic reality of a remote mountain town. The town is not experiencing rapid growth; this is a stable, quiet place where families often have deep roots or are drawn to the mountain setting and lifestyle.

The district operates transparently at the state level but presents limited public information about specific programming, career pathways, Advanced Placement courses, or dual-credit offerings. A prospective family should reach out directly to Dunsmuir High to learn what courses are available, what supports exist for students below grade level, and how the school approaches college and career readiness. For a school this size, the principal and counselor are typically the best sources for understanding both strengths and constraints.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

Grades

09–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 14%

Black 5%

White 53%

Asian 3%

Two+ 20%

Am. Indian / AK Native 5%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

—

Gr 11

—

Math

Gr ALL

—

Gr 11

—

Science

Gr ALL

—

Gr 11

—

Gr HS

—

Gr UG_SEC

—

Schools in this District

2 schools are officially reported under this district.

Dunsmuir High

Dunsmuir Joint Union High Community Day

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$258,778

Year-over-year change+1.1%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$239K to $338K

vs. state typical0.33x

vs. national typical0.70x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
96025	Dunsmuir	$239K	+1.7%	44.6%
96051	Lakehead	$338K	-1.1%	11.1%
96057		$292K	-11.8%	0.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,306/mo

Home price / national median income3.1x

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Academic Performance
Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.