The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in Social studies. The lowest is 29% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Verdugo Academy
Verdugo Academy is an alternative school serving kindergarten through 12th grade in Glendale, California, with an enrollment of small size. The school sits within Glendale Unified School District, which operates a distributed system of neighborhood campuses across the city.
The school's academic performance reflects strengths and challenges across subjects. In English language arts, students in grade 8 showed proficiency at a rate above half, a relatively solid result. In science, students in grade 8 also proficiency at a rate above half. Mathematics presents a steeper challenge; grade 8 proficiency sits below a third of students. Testing data for grades 3 through 7 in both math and English language arts were not available, likely due to the school's small enrollment in those grades. Science results for grade 5 were similarly not reported. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places Verdugo Academy above the midpoint among Los Angeles County school districts, a position that reflects the relative strength in English and science offsetting the gap in math.
Verdugo Academy serves a diverse peer group. White students make up a majority of the enrollment, while Hispanic students comprise a substantial minority. Asian students are present in the school at low numbers, and the school reports no Black or Native American students. A notable share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, pointing to economic diversity and the presence of families with lower household incomes. The school's data for English learners and students in special education were not available.
As an alternative school, Verdugo Academy differs structurally from traditional public schools. The alternative designation itself indicates a designed departure from a conventional curriculum, schedule, or teaching approach, though the specific shape of that model was not available in the school's public data. Parents considering this school would benefit from speaking directly with administration about the school's pedagogical approach, scheduling, and how it differs from other GUSD options.
The district context matters for families. Glendale Unified is reverting its secondary schools from a seven-period to a six-period schedule beginning in the 2025-26 school year, ending a post-pandemic schedule that had let students take up to two electives. This structural change reduces elective access across most of the district's secondary grades. The district is also considering a large general obligation bond measure to address a substantial facilities backlog, which could affect property taxes if placed on the ballot and approved. These shifts are worth understanding as you evaluate any school in Glendale.
Glendale itself is a mid-sized city about ten miles north of downtown Los Angeles, shaped by a walkable downtown entertainment and retail core along Brand Boulevard and distinct residential neighborhoods ranging from historic Period Revival areas to bohemian hillsides. The city hosts major employers in entertainment and media, including DreamWorks Animation and Disney-affiliated operations, alongside technology and manufacturing firms. Brand Park and an extensive transit system anchored by the Glendale Transportation Center (served by Metrolink, Amtrak, and local bus lines) provide civic infrastructure. The local housing market shows home values well above national benchmarks; rents have softened slightly in 2025 after recent multifamily deliveries, and the area remains substantially more expensive than the national average. New multifamily and affordable housing continue to arrive, much of it downtown, though the construction pipeline has moderated compared to prior years.
For a parent or resident evaluating Verdugo Academy, the key questions are whether the alternative school model and its curriculum align with your child's learning profile and your educational values, and whether the math proficiency results warrant additional conversation with the school about how it supports students in that subject. The school's position above the county median overall suggests competent academic performance across its tested students, but the relatively small enrollment means results can reflect individual year cohorts. A visit and conversation with school leadership would help clarify what alternative education means at this site and what specific supports exist for students below proficiency.
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