Original Research by School Decision on The Met
The MET is a charter high school in downtown Sacramento serving grades nine through twelve. It sits at the intersection of Sacramento's most visible recent challenges: a district in acute financial distress, a region grappling with affordability, and a school whose academic results signal real struggle that a parent will want to examine closely.
The school's enrollment is small, with roughly balanced cohorts across the grade levels. More than half the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. The population is racially mixed, with Hispanic students representing the largest group, followed by white, Black, and Asian students, and a small number identifying as multiracial or Native American. Data on English learners and students with disabilities was not available.
The state's most recent test results, from the 2024-25 school year, show proficiency rates that are concerning. In English language arts, about half the students met proficiency standards. In math, the rate drops sharply to one in ten. Science sits at roughly one-third of students meeting standards. These are the only data points available; the school has not been open long enough or has provided only one year of results to show trends. The comparison metrics that would position the school against other districts in Sacramento County (overall proficiency index, graduation rate, chronic absenteeism) are not available, so it is not possible to say whether these results are typical for the region or worse.
The school does not appear to offer advanced placement courses, dual-credit pathways, or published specialized programs; a parent may want to contact the school directly to ask about course offerings, including any honors or advanced options in English or science where proficiency is higher.
Downtown Sacramento, where the school is located, sits in a housing market under moderate pressure. Home values in the 95818 zip code are at roughly the county median. Rents are moderate relative to national benchmarks, though they have been rising. A household earning the area's typical income would spend a substantial share of earnings on rent, and buying would require a significant down payment. The region's unemployment remains relatively stable, and median household income has ticked upward in recent years.
The broader context is a district in crisis. Sacramento City Unified is facing a severe budget shortfall, with layoff notices issued to hundreds of employees and curriculum and technology purchases delayed. The district narrowly avoided state takeover, but state oversight agencies have flagged cash flow risk. A facilities bond approved by voters in late 2024 will raise property taxes for years to come. These cuts and uncertainties ripple into schools: staffing is unstable, resources are constrained, and the environment for learning and teaching is turbulent.
For a parent considering The MET, the mathematics proficiency rate is the most immediate red flag. The English language arts result is survivable, but one in ten students meeting standards in math is not a pathway most families would choose for a high schooler. The data does not explain whether this reflects the school's instructional approach, its student population, recent staffing instability, or some combination, and the single year of results offers no trend line. A parent would want to have a direct conversation with school leadership about what accounts for these numbers, what changes are underway, and what academic support looks like for students entering the school.
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