Original Research by School Decision on Mountain View High
Mountain View High is an alternative high school serving grades nine through twelve in Lucerne Valley, a rural desert community in San Bernardino County. The school enrollment is very small, with the overwhelming majority of students in twelfth grade. This structure suggests the school serves students working toward completion of high school requirements, often after extended absences or through non-traditional pathways.
The student population is economically disadvantaged, with a substantial share qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The majority of the enrollment identifies as Hispanic, with a small white population; no students currently enrolled identify as Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or multiracial.
State assessment results are suppressed for all subjects and grade levels, which is typical for alternative schools with very small enrollment numbers. Comparison metrics across the county districts are not applicable for the same reason. A parent seeking specific proficiency data or performance benchmarks should contact the school directly to discuss how students are assessed and tracked toward graduation, as state testing may not be the primary accountability measure for an alternative-school population.
Graduation rate data was not available in the data provided. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, along with what completion pathways and diploma options are available.
The school is located in Lucerne Valley, a sparsely populated, unincorporated desert community with deep roots in homesteading and industrial history. The local economy centers on manufacturing, construction, and administrative services, with the Cushenbury cement plant—operated by Mitsubishi Cement Corporation—serving as a major employer. Housing stock includes a substantial share of mobile homes, reflecting the community's character and affordability relative to coastal California. The cost to own a home in the area is below both state and national medians, though rents have been climbing.
For families in Lucerne Valley seeking a pathway to high school completion for a student who may benefit from a smaller setting or flexible pacing, Mountain View High represents the local alternative option. The school's very small enrollment means personalized attention but also limited peer choice and potentially fewer in-person course or activity options. A parent should ask about how the school delivers instruction, what course offerings are available, how credits are earned and transferred, and whether there are partnerships with community colleges or workforce programs that might extend pathways beyond twelfth grade.
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