Original Research by School Decision on Kings River High (continuation)
Kings River High (Continuation) is a small alternative school serving grades 11 and 12 in Sanger, located on Seventh Street in the heart of the town's downtown area. The school enrolls a small number of high school students, nearly all of whom are Hispanic/Latino, and a very substantial majority qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
The school's academic proficiency results are very low across all tested subjects. In English language arts, science, and math combined, the proficiency rates are well below the standard expected for secondary students. These numbers reflect the population the school serves: alternative and continuation schools typically enroll students who have struggled in traditional settings, face barriers to graduation, or are making up credits and coursework. For a parent considering this school, it's important to understand that proficiency metrics here measure a population in recovery, not a baseline college-prep cohort. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how Kings River approaches credit recovery, what support structures are in place, and what the typical pathway looks like once students earn their diploma or graduate.
The school serves grades 7 through 12 in its charter, but current enrollment is grades 11 and 12 only, reflecting its role as a late-stage alternative pathway rather than a full secondary school. The very small enrollment means individual attention is feasible, but also that the peer environment and extracurricular offerings will be limited compared to a traditional comprehensive high school. Students here are typically those who need an intensive, focused setting to complete their education.
Housing in the Sanger area is relatively affordable by broader state standards, though still a meaningful commitment for families with modest incomes. Rent and home values in the zip code are below state benchmarks, and the median household income in the region supports this affordability relative to asking prices. Sanger itself is a small agricultural community with recent development growth on its west side, but the downtown where Kings River sits remains the civic and service core, home to the public library, school district office, and local dining and retail.
State testing data for other metrics such as chronic absenteeism, four-year graduation rate, and comparative proficiency context relative to other Fresno County districts was not available, likely because continuation schools often operate outside the same accountability frameworks as traditional high schools. The school's designation as an alternative school explains why it does not report the same metrics as comprehensive high schools do.
For families whose student needs a second-chance setting, credit recovery focus, or smaller-scale environment to complete high school, Kings River offers that pathway in a walkable downtown location. The low proficiency numbers are real and should prompt direct conversation with the school about its instructional approach, support services, and post-secondary outcomes.
See more original research from School Decision →