Original Research by School Decision on Cambridge High
Cambridge High is an alternative school in Coalinga serving grades 11 and 12. It is housed in a school-campus cluster on the town's edge, near West Hills Community College and other district schools, about a half-mile from the downtown core.
The school's enrollment is very small, concentrated heavily in grade 12, with a preponderance of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller numbers of white, Asian, Black, and multiracial students. No data were available on the share of students with individualized education plans or English learners, which may reflect the alternative-school setting or data-collection gaps typical of such programs.
State testing results are available for the most recent school year only. English language arts proficiency is low. Mathematics and science proficiency were not demonstrated on assessments; state data show no students meeting proficiency standards in either subject. A parent may want to look into this further with the school directly, particularly around the school's curriculum, how alternative-pathway students are assessed, and what academic supports are in place. Some alternative programs measure progress differently than state standardized tests, and understanding the school's educational model and student goals would be important context.
The school does not report a graduation rate. District-level graduation data were not available, so the school's standing relative to county peers cannot be characterized from the information provided.
A graduation rate, detailed course and program offerings, staffing data, and information about attendance and discipline were all absent from the available records, which is not unusual for alternative schools or smaller programs. Parents considering Cambridge High should request these details directly from the school.
Coalinga itself is a small, quiet Central Valley city in southwestern Fresno County, set in Pleasant Valley with hills and ranches surrounding it. The community is close-knit and family-oriented, anchored by a compact downtown grid with on-street parking, where civic institutions like City Hall and the library sit alongside shops and local businesses. Street life is modest; the town gathers for annual events but lacks nightlife, and streets are quiet by late evening. Housing stock ranges from older cottages to ranch homes and newer bungalows, with a median price that has climbed modestly. The local economy centers on the prison, the state hospital, oil firms, agriculture (Harris Farms, Paramount Farms for pistachios, Sequoia Packing for garlic), and construction. West Hills Community College and the schools are also significant employers. Transit is limited to a local dial-a-ride service weekdays and regional bus connections to Fresno and other county towns. The area is experiencing modest growth in housing and commercial development, including a planned shopping area near the college.
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