Original Research by School Decision on Foothill High
Foothill High is a mid-sized public high school in Palo Cedro, a small unincorporated rural community in Shasta County where most residents own their homes and commute into nearby Redding for work. The school serves all four grades of high school and draws a student body that is predominantly white, with a meaningful share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
The school's academic performance shows uneven results across subjects. English language arts proficiency stands above the midpoint; mathematics proficiency sits near it; science proficiency falls notably below. A parent considering Foothill may want to look into the specific supports the school offers in mathematics and science, and how students progress across their high school years. State assessment data was reported for only one year, so longer trend lines are not available to assess whether these results reflect stable performance or recent shifts.
The student body is diverse in economic circumstances. About two-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate concentration of economic need. Race and ethnicity data show the school is majority white, with smaller populations of Hispanic, multiracial, Native American, and other students. Data on students receiving special education services and English learners were not available from the state.
Palo Cedro itself is a rural, car-dependent place spread across small geographic area with low population density. Community life centers on local events organized by the chamber of commerce, such as the Honeybee Festival and Country Christmas gatherings. A small downtown area exists, anchored by a windmill landmark. Most residents drive alone to work; public transit includes a regional bus service connecting to Redding. The local economy is rooted in agriculture and small businesses, but residents primarily find employment in nearby Redding, where major healthcare systems and retail operations anchor the regional job market.
Housing in the Palo Cedro area is moderately priced relative to the state benchmark and significantly below the national average, making it an affordable option for families. Monthly mortgage costs are substantially lower than the national norm, though still a meaningful household expense. Rental housing is also more affordable than purchasing, reflecting the generally accessible housing market.
The school is part of Shasta Union High School District, which in late 2024 won voter approval of Measure M, a substantial general obligation bond dedicated to campus renovations and facility improvements across the district. This bond will be repaid over roughly three decades through property taxes on all taxable property within district boundaries, signaling the district's commitment to ongoing facility modernization and shaping the long-term tax burden families would assume by living in the area.
Program offerings at Foothill include a business pathway within career and technical education, as well as a football program. The school website carries more detailed information on course availability and extracurricular options beyond these. Graduation rate data and chronic absenteeism metrics were not reported and were not available for comparison with other Shasta County schools.
Foothill is a regular public high school without magnet or charter designation, serving the local community on a standard enrollment basis. For families seeking a rural high school setting with moderate housing affordability and a fairly traditional academic program, the school represents one anchor for this part of Shasta County. The academic picture in mathematics and science warrants direct conversation with school staff about curriculum and support structures.
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