Original Research by School Decision on Analy High
Analy High is a mid-sized public high school serving grades nine through twelve in Sebastopol, a small wine-country city in Sonoma County. The school sits on its own residential campus away from downtown and feeds primarily from surrounding elementary and middle schools in the West Sonoma County Union High School District, which also operates the newly launched Academy of Innovative Arts in nearby Forestville.
The school's enrollment is stable across grades, with a student body that is majority white and includes a substantial Hispanic population, along with smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. A meaningful portion of students—roughly two out of five—qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing this as a school with real economic diversity.
State testing data from the 2024-25 school year shows proficiency rates that warrant attention. In English language arts, about two-thirds of students tested met or exceeded proficiency. In math, the proficiency rate was lower, roughly four in ten students. In science, the proficiency was lowest of the three, at about one in three students. These are single-year snapshots, so trend data over time was not available; a parent may want to ask the school directly about recent trajectories in these areas and whether there are specific math or science interventions underway.
The broader district context matters here. In 2021, the district closed El Molino High School in Forestville and consolidated its students to Analy, a cost-cutting move that generated community conflict. That decision is now settled. More recently, the district has begun investing in Analy's future: a new Career Technical Education building opened in 2025 with hands-on programs in advanced manufacturing, welding, agricultural mechanics, engineering, design, and culinary arts. This expansion gives students access to dual-credit and career-pathway options that go beyond traditional college prep. The district also operates the Academy of Innovative Arts, a small project-based school in Forestville for families seeking an alternative approach, though it is much smaller than a traditional high school.
The district funds these programs in part through Measure B, a parcel tax approved in 2020 that continues to support career and arts instruction alongside teacher compensation. This is a local investment that families will see reflected on their property tax bills.
Sebastopol itself is a compact, walkable small town with a strong progressive and artsy character. Housing costs are high—in the range of what is typical for northern California's wine country—with median home values and rents reflecting broader regional trends. Downtown has independent retail, galleries, and restaurants, while residential areas feature older bungalows and family neighborhoods. Employment is concentrated in services, education, and professional work, with Traditional Medicinals (a tea company) as a notable local employer. Civic anchors include Ragle Ranch Regional Park, the now-temporarily-closed regional library, and trail access to Santa Rosa via the Joe Rodota Trail. The city is in the midst of housing development efforts to meet state targets, with several projects in planning or construction phases that will add both market-rate and affordable units over the next several years.
For families weighing Analy, the school offers a conventional four-year high school pathway with newly strengthened technical and arts pathways, sits in a small progressive town with some walkability and outdoor access, and draws from a school district that has stabilized after recent consolidation. The math and science proficiency levels are areas to explore in more depth with the school directly, especially if your teen is heading toward STEM coursework.
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