Original Research by School Decision on Desert Winds Continuation High
Desert Winds Continuation High is an alternative high school in Lancaster, California, serving students in grades nine through twelve within the Antelope Valley Union High School District. As an alternative school, it operates outside the traditional comprehensive high school model and serves a student population with distinct academic and social needs.
The school enrolls a small cohort, with most students concentrated in the upper grades. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with a substantial majority qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need. Data on English learner status and special education enrollment was not available.
Academic outcomes at Desert Winds are substantially below state proficiency benchmarks across all tested subjects. State testing results show low proficiency rates in English language arts, mathematics, and science. These results are consistent with the mission and population of an alternative school, which typically serves students who have struggled in traditional settings, faced chronic attendance issues, or encountered other barriers to completion. A parent may want to discuss directly with the school how it supports students toward both proficiency gains and completion, given the population it serves.
The school is part of Antelope Valley Union High, which in November 2024 passed a bond measure to modernize classrooms, upgrade vocational labs, repair aging infrastructure including plumbing and roofs, and enhance student safety across the district. This funding will support facility improvements across all district schools over time.
Lancaster itself is a mid-sized charter city in the high-desert Antelope Valley of northern Los Angeles County, with a diversified regional economy anchored by aerospace, defense, healthcare, and education. The city has invested in downtown revitalization centered on The BLVD, a tree-lined mixed-use streetscape that hosts civic and cultural institutions including a performing arts center, library, and art museum. Major regional employers include Edwards Air Force Base, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Antelope Valley Medical Center. The area offers Metrolink regional rail service connecting to downtown Los Angeles.
The housing market in the Lancaster area reflects moderate affordability relative to broader Los Angeles County. Home values and rental costs sit between state and national mediums, though rent as a percentage of typical household income remains substantial. The area is positioned for ongoing development, with significant industrial and residential projects in planning or construction phases.
For families considering Desert Winds, the school represents an alternative pathway within the district for students who need a different educational structure than traditional high schools provide. Parents should seek to understand the school's graduation completion pathways, any specialized support services, and how it works with students on credit recovery and competency-based progression. State assessment data alone does not capture the full purpose or value of an alternative school serving this population.
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