Alta Vista Innovation High

Tucked into the high desert community of Hesperia, Alta Vista Innovation High is a charter school that, despite its name, hasn't quite found its footing academically, with test scores placing it near the bottom of California high schools in English and Math. Families in the Lucerne Valley area have limited local options, and the vast, sun-baked landscape of San Bernardino County's high desert can feel remote from the educational resources available in more urban parts of Southern California. Families considering Alta Vista would want to look closely at classroom culture and extracurricular offerings, since the academic metrics alone don't tell an encouraging story — though for some students, a smaller charter environment can still provide a more personal experience than a larger traditional campus.