The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Success Academy
Success Academy is a small alternative school in Sacramento serving fourth through eighth grade. It operates as a non-charter public school within Sacramento City Unified. The enrollment is quite small, currently in the single digits across all tested grades. The student body is majority Hispanic and Black, with a smaller share identifying as two or more races. No students identify as white or Asian.
The school's state assessment results are deeply concerning and paint a stark picture. In eighth-grade mathematics and English language arts, the proficiency rate is zero. The same is true for the eighth-grade science assessment. For the few other grades where data exists, testing results are suppressed, typically because enrollment in those grades is too small for the state to report individual numbers. The one available historical record from 2012-13 shows zero proficiency in eighth-grade social studies.
The school sits in the bottom quartile of Sacramento County districts on overall proficiency. It stands apart from conventional schools in its purpose and structure as an alternative program. Alternative schools serve students with different educational pathways, often those who have struggled in traditional settings or who need a more tailored approach. The very low test proficiency does not necessarily mean the school is failing its students; it may mean the school serves a population with complex needs, or that the metrics used to measure district schools do not capture the school's goals and outcomes. A parent or guardian considering this school would benefit from discussing directly with the school what its mission is, whom it serves, and how it measures success beyond state tests.
Sacramento City Unified is in the midst of significant financial and operational strain. The district faces a severe budget crisis and risk of state takeover. In 2025 and into 2026, the district approved a Fiscal Solvency Plan that included significant staff reductions, furloughs, and layoff notices. These cuts have delayed curriculum purchases and technology upgrades, directly affecting classroom resources. The district also experienced an eight-day teacher and staff strike in spring 2022, which closed schools and led to multi-year scheduling disruptions as the district worked to recover lost instructional time. In addition, voters approved a school facilities bond in November 2024 that will raise property taxes for the duration of the debt, funding modernization and new construction. These conditions create an unstable backdrop for any school in the district, including Success Academy.
The housing market in the 95822 zip code where the school is located shows median home values in the mid-range for the region, with rental costs moderate but rising slightly. Employment conditions are stable, though the cost of housing relative to household income remains elevated. A family considering this location would be entering an area with moderate affordability challenges and should account for both the bond-approved property tax increase and the district's ongoing financial turmoil when evaluating the total cost of living and the stability of school resources.
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