The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 29% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Aerostem Academy
AeroSTEM Academy is a small charter school serving grades five through twelve in Yuba City, with an enrollment of about one hundred students. The school draws from a student population where a substantial share qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment is racially diverse, with a notable representation of Hispanic and white students, along with smaller numbers of students from other backgrounds.
The school's academic profile shows uneven performance across subjects. In English language arts, AeroSTEM demonstrates stronger results in the upper grades, with eighth-grade students reaching proficiency at a notably higher rate than their peers in sixth and seventh grades. Math proficiency is lower across all tested grades, ranging from roughly the mid-to-lower range in grades six through eight. Science assessment data is limited due to suppression at lower grades, though eighth-grade science proficiency is similarly subdued. Overall, the school's proficiency index places it above the midpoint among districts in Sutter County, but this masks significant grade-level variation and the lower math performance that runs through the school.
A parent considering AeroSTEM should understand that the school operates with a STEM focus within the charter framework, serving a small, tight-knit community of students from fifth through twelfth grade. The small size means closer relationships with staff and a coherent group, but also fewer course options and less specialized departmental depth than a large traditional school. The school is based in downtown Yuba City on Second Street, an area that is gradually revitalizing but remains quieter in the evenings; the school sits within walking distance of Plumas Street's restored downtown corridor, which has shops, restaurants, and civic anchors like City Hall and the Sutter County Courthouse nearby.
Yuba City itself is a mid-sized agricultural hub in the Central Valley experiencing steady growth through new residential subdivisions. The regional economy is anchored by healthcare systems, retail chains, agriculture including the large Sunsweet dried-fruit processor, government agencies, and Beale Air Force Base some distance away. Housing costs are moderate relative to state benchmarks, and the area remains more affordable than much of California, though rents have edged upward in recent months. Public transit exists through Yuba-Sutter Transit, though service is modest and centered on weekday and Saturday hours with no Sunday service.
For families drawn to a charter school model with STEM emphasis and a smaller student population, AeroSTEM could be a fit. The math performance warrants closer discussion with the school about curriculum and support for that subject. The higher proficiency in eighth-grade English suggests the school may find its stride in the upper grades. Parents should ask directly about course access in the high school grades given the small enrollment, and about how the school bridges the transition from the fifth-through-eighth core to high school academics. The school serves a community with real economic need and a strong enrollment commitment to accessibility, which shapes its peer environment distinctly.
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