- Enrollment
- 1,978
- Students per teacher
- 23.3:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Chico, CA
Center for Alternative Learning
Federal NCES profile for Center for Alternative Learning, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 57/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 060837012830
👥 S:T ratio 55
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 86
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Center for Alternative Learning earns 57/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 94% of California schools. It is also one of the smallest schools in California.
- #1 of 7
- schools in Chico · Resource Index
- 57
- Resource Index · Higher
- 11.3:1
- small classes for California
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Center for Alternative Learning has class sizes smaller than 94% of California schools. Computed live against every California school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Center for Alternative Learning ranks #1 of 7 schools in Chico, CA.
School address
District: Chico Unified · California
NCES ID 060837012830 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-13 students YoY
Center for Alternative Learning shrank from 30 students in 2022-23 to 17 in 2023-24 (-43.3%).
Teacher FTE lost 3.0 → 2.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-13 students YoY 060837012830 · Chico, CA Other · SMALL · TRAD
34 enr · 11.3:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 57
Nearest enrollment peer: Pleasant Valley High (1,978 students)
Center for Alternative Learning shrank from 30 students in 2022-23 to 17 in 2023-24 (-43.3%). Teacher FTE lost 3.0 → 2.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · California schools → · Find another →
Center for Alternative Learning in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Pleasant Valle
Pleasant Valley High
1,978 students
- Chico High
Chico High
1,804 students
- Bidwell Junior
Bidwell Junior High
1,012 students
- Chico Junior H
Chico Junior High
861 students
- Marsh (Harry M 716
Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High
716 students
- This school 34
Center for Alternative Learning
34 students
What this shows Center for Alternative Learning reports 34 students on the CCD universe file.
How Center for Alternative Learning compares
Center for Alternative Learning is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs California and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs California | California avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 11.3:1 | ▼ 47% | 21.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 80% | 55.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 34 | top 95% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
11.3:1
Leaner classes than 81% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
34
Bigger than 4% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
100.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 80% above the California average of 55.5%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
11.3:1
students per teacher
- 47% below state mean
Top 6% in California - lower ratio than 94% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Funding equity
$16,422
per pupil, district-wide
- below California avg of $18,665
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.5 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 19 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 5.9 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 61.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 2 expulsions.
Student demographics
White 38.2%
Hispanic or Latino 32.4%
Two or More 14.7%
African American 8.8%
Asian 2.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.9%
Largest group: White at 38.2% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 71.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 71.8, Center for Alternative Learning is more mixed than the California school average of 46.0.
Programs
District finance for Chico Unified reports $16,422 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Center for Alternative Learning Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Valley High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Chico High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Bidwell Junior High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Chico Junior High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Center for Alternative Learning's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,804
- Students per teacher
- 21:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
- Enrollment
- 1,012
- Students per teacher
- 24.7:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
- Enrollment
- 861
- Students per teacher
- 22.7:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 716
- Students per teacher
- 19.4:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
Similar other schools in Chico
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Core Butte Charter
Standard public school
916 students 18:1 students per teacher
Oak Bridge Academy
Alternative education program
188 students 26.9:1 students per teacher
Pivot Charter School North Valley Ii
Standard public school
105 students 17.5:1 students per teacher
Oakdale
Alternative education program
92 students 46:1 students per teacher
Academy for Change
Alternative education program
31 students 31:1 students per teacher
Butte County Community
Alternative education program
20 students 6.7:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~34 students)
Frequently asked questions about Center for Alternative Learning
How many students attend Center for Alternative Learning?
Center for Alternative Learning has 34 students enrolled. It is an alternative school in Chico, CA. CCD year-over-year: 30 (2022-23) → 17 (2023-24), down 13.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Center for Alternative Learning?
The student-teacher ratio at Center for Alternative Learning is 11.3:1, which is 47% lower than the California average of 21.5:1 and 28% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Center for Alternative Learning?
100.0% of students at Center for Alternative Learning are eligible for free lunch, compared to the California average of 55.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Center for Alternative Learning?
The largest demographic group at Center for Alternative Learning is White at 38.2% of enrollment, in Chico, CA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 71.8/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Center for Alternative Learning?
Center for Alternative Learning has a Resource Investment Index of 57/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Center for Alternative Learning rank among schools in Chico?
By Resource Investment Index, Center for Alternative Learning ranks #1 of 7 schools in Chico, CA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Chico on the city page.
What other schools are in Chico Unified?
Besides Center for Alternative Learning, Chico Unified also operates Pleasant Valley High (1,978 students), Chico High (1,804 students), and Bidwell Junior High (1,012 students). See the Chico Unified district page for the complete list.