Original Research by School Decision on Arrow High (continuation)
Arrow High is a continuation school serving grades nine through twelve in Glendora, operating as part of Charter Oak Unified. Continuation schools are alternative settings designed to serve high school students who, for various reasons, do not thrive in a traditional comprehensive high school environment.
The school enrolls a small student body, the vast majority of whom are in their final two years of high school. Grade eleven and twelve together account for the overwhelming share of enrollment, while younger grades are minimal. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student population is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller enrollments of white, Asian, and other students. The specific data on English learner status and students with disabilities was not available.
On state assessments administered in the current year, proficiency rates are very low across all tested subjects. In English language arts and mathematics, proficiency sits in the low single digits. Science testing resulted in zero proficiency. These numbers reflect the realities of continuation schools: they typically serve students facing academic, social, behavioral, or personal challenges that led them to an alternative pathway. State testing performance in this setting does not predict what these students may accomplish through focused support, credit recovery, or completion of a personalized academic plan. A parent considering this school should speak directly with staff about the school's academic support structure, counseling services, credit recovery options, and graduation timelines, particularly whether the school can serve the student's specific needs.
Glendora itself is a residential suburban city in eastern Los Angeles County, about a half-hour from downtown Los Angeles, built around a small historic downtown and spreading into residential neighborhoods and foothills. Housing costs in the area are substantial. A typical home is valued well above national norms, and monthly rent or mortgage payment likewise reflects a steep local market. Most residents drive to work and own multiple vehicles; the city is car-dependent outside its pedestrian-friendly downtown 'Village' core. A Metro light-rail extension to Glendora opened in late 2025, adding transit connectivity.
Charter Oak Unified serves this region and surrounding areas. The district operates a standing District of Choice program allowing nonresidents to enroll tuition-free, a meaningful pathway for families outside district boundaries. The district also runs Oak Knoll Virtual Academy, a tuition-free online/hybrid K-12 option available to all families regardless of residence, should a family need flexibility in schooling format.
For a family considering Arrow High, the key questions center on whether the school's continuation-school structure and support services align with the student's particular barriers to traditional high school success, what credit-recovery and completion options exist, and what counseling and case-management support the school provides. State test scores alone do not characterize what students gain from this pathway; direct conversation with the school is essential.
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