Original Research by School Decision on San Andreas Continuation High
San Andreas Continuation High is an alternative high school in Hollister, serving grades 9 through 12. It enrolls a small number of students, concentrated heavily in grade 12, with the majority identifying as Hispanic and nearly four in five students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The school serves a population with significant economic need.
State assessment results show very weak proficiency across the board. In English Language Arts, a small fraction of students met or exceeded the state standard. In mathematics and science, no students achieved proficiency on the most recent assessments. These results reflect the alternative school model and the student population it serves: continuation schools typically enroll students who have struggled in traditional high school settings, face barriers to academic progress, or need a different pathway to graduation. A parent considering this school should understand that the academic profile is substantially below what traditional public high schools in the area report, and should discuss with school staff what the school's graduation pathway looks like and how it supports students toward completion and next steps.
Hollister itself sits in a housing market that has softened slightly in recent years. Home values remain elevated relative to national benchmarks, and rental costs have ticked up. The median household income in the region is moderate, and unemployment remains in the typical range. The cost of housing relative to income is steep enough that renters spend a substantial share of their earnings on housing, and homebuyers face considerable mortgage obligations.
The San Benito High School District, which includes this school, is operating under persistent strain. The district's single comprehensive high school has faced documented overcrowding, pushing students to a continuation school like San Andreas. The district has attempted twice in recent years to secure voter approval for bonds to relieve this pressure and build a second high school, but both measures failed. An earlier bond attempt also fell short. This recurring pattern suggests that the district lacks the funding infrastructure to expand capacity or modernize facilities in the near term. For a family considering relocation to the area, this is a structural constraint that affects class sizes, facilities, and the range of programs available across the district's schools.
San Andreas Continuation High fills a real function in the district: it offers a second chance and a pathway to graduation for students who do not thrive in a traditional setting. The low state proficiency numbers should be read in that context. But the data also makes plain that this is not a school for a student seeking to maximize academic achievement or college preparation in the traditional sense. It serves a specific population, and families should view it as one option within a district that faces real capacity challenges.
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