Original Research by School Decision on Tracy (wilbur) High (continuation)
Tracy High (Continuation), located in Cerritos, is an alternative high school serving grades nine through twelve within the ABC Unified district. It is a small school, with enrollment concentrated in the upper grades, particularly twelfth grade. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting an economically disadvantaged population.
As a continuation school, Tracy High is designed for students who have struggled in traditional high school settings or need an alternative pathway to graduation. The school operates outside the standard comprehensive high school model, which shapes both its academic offerings and the profile of its student population. This is not a selective or magnet program; it serves students who need a different educational structure.
State assessment data from the most recent year shows proficiency rates well below typical district and state performance. In English language arts, about three in ten students scored at proficiency. In mathematics, the proficiency rate was in the single digits. Science proficiency was similarly low. These numbers reflect the reality of a continuation school population: students arriving with significant academic gaps, often after falling behind in traditional settings. State testing data is the only academic measure available; the school's website was not accessible for this review, so program specifics, staffing, support services, or course catalogs could not be examined.
Graduation rate data was not available, which is typical for continuation schools; these schools often report outcomes differently than comprehensive high schools, and the data systems may not capture continuation school completions in the standard four-year graduation metric. A parent considering this school would want to ask directly about completion rates, diploma options, and how the school measures success beyond state testing.
The Cerritos location itself is a car-dependent, master-planned suburb with extensive parks and civic infrastructure but limited walkable retail or public transit (the local bus service is slated to end in May 2026). Housing in the area is moderately priced for Los Angeles County, and major employers include logistics, retail, and automotive dealerships. The city is largely built out and now accommodating housing growth through infill development and rezoning.
Tracy High serves a real function within the district: it provides a structured alternative for high school students who have not succeeded in comprehensive settings. The low proficiency numbers should not be misread as school failure; they reflect the starting point of the student population. For a family considering this school, the relevant questions are whether the school's structure and supports address their student's specific barriers to learning in a traditional setting, what completion and credential outcomes actually look like, and whether the school offers pathways to employment, community college, or other post-secondary options beyond state testing measures.
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