Original Research by School Decision on Design Science Middle College High
Design Science Middle College High is a small alternative high school serving grades nine through twelve in Fresno. It enrolls students across a roughly even distribution of all four grade levels. The school's location on East University Avenue places it in northeast Fresno, in proximity to California State University, Fresno.
The school draws from a community with substantial economic need. About two-thirds of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with smaller Asian, white, and multiracial populations. The student body includes very few Black or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, proficiency in English language arts was in the mid-to-upper range, while math proficiency was around the midpoint. Science proficiency fell below the midpoint. Only one year of assessment data is available, so it is not possible to determine whether these results reflect a trend or a single snapshot. The comparison framework that would position this school against other Fresno County districts could not be applied because the district-level metrics needed for that positioning were not available.
The school carries the designation of an alternative school. This typically signals a program designed for students who may not fit the conventional high school pathway, including those pursuing early college credit, career-focused training, accelerated or self-paced learning, or who have faced barriers in traditional settings. The proximity to the State University campus suggests the school may leverage that location for dual-enrollment or college-credit opportunities, though the specific academic programs and offerings were not described in available data.
No information was available regarding the school's graduation rate, chronic absenteeism, discipline policies, or detailed course catalog. No data on special education or English learner enrollment were reported. A parent evaluating this school would benefit from speaking directly with staff about the alternative program model, what college pathways exist through the university partnership, support structures for students entering high school, and how the school's academic supports are tailored to its student population.
Fresno itself is a sprawling, car-dependent Central Valley city with a strong agricultural economic base. The downtown core is undergoing active redevelopment focused on housing and mixed-use density, though much of the city remains low-density and spread out. The University Avenue corridor where this school sits is part of the northeast area anchored by the State University campus, a neighborhood distinct from downtown's revitalization efforts. For families considering this school, proximity to both the university and regional transit on Blackstone Avenue (served by the FAX Q bus rapid transit line) may affect commuting feasibility.
See more original research from School Decision →