Original Research by School Decision on Anderson
Anderson is a special education high school within San Bernardino City Unified, serving a small population of students in grade twelve. The school is located on East Fourth Street in San Bernardino and is non-charter.
The enrollment is very small. All students are in twelfth grade; the school does not serve younger grades despite the listing of kindergarten through twelve in its official grade span. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is predominantly Latino, with smaller representation of Black, white, and American Indian students.
State testing data for Anderson are not available. The available test results show zero participation in the Smarter Balanced assessments for seventh-grade mathematics and English language arts in 2014-15, which is the most recent state testing information on record. This absence of testing data reflects the nature of the school: as a special education setting serving only twelfth-graders, Anderson would not be tested in the grades California assesses, and the school's small population and specialized mission likely exempt it from the standardized accountability framework. The school has no graduation rate reported, as state graduation metrics are not published for special education schools of this type.
San Bernardino itself is the largest city by population in San Bernardino County, which is the largest county in the United States. The city contains distinct neighborhoods ranging from downtown areas with apartment complexes and high-rise residential buildings to mid-century residential districts and tree-lined neighborhoods. Downtown San Bernardino is undergoing development centered on civic anchors including the Feldheym Library and the restored Santa Fe Depot train station, now a cultural center. The University District surrounding California State University San Bernardino is experiencing ongoing growth. Housing costs in the San Bernardino area are above the national median; rental rates have recently risen. The labor market shows moderate unemployment.
San Bernardino City Unified has adopted Vision 2030: SBCUSD SHINES, a multi-year strategic plan established in April 2024 that guides the district's work in academics, college and career readiness, equity, student wellness, and safe learning environments. The district has made Linked Learning career pathways central to its high school model across comprehensive and alternative schools, integrating college-prep academics with career-technical education, work-based learning, and dual enrollment. SBCUSD holds multiple Gold-certified Linked Learning pathways, among the most in California.
For families considering Anderson, the school's role as a special education setting means it is designed to serve students with identified disabilities and specialized learning needs within a twelfth-grade environment. Data on IEP and English learner populations, class size, staffing, curriculum specifics, and student support services were not available in the records reviewed. A parent evaluating Anderson would benefit from direct contact with the school to understand its instructional model, support offerings, transition planning for post-secondary life, and fit for their student's needs.
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