Best public high schools in the Modesto metro area

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May 14, 2025
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Best public high schools in the Modesto metro area

Stacker compiled a list of the best public high schools in the Modesto metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

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#25. Waterford High School

- Location: Waterford Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 612 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#24. Keyes to Learning Charter School

- Location: Keyes Union School District, CA
- Enrollment: 317 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#23. Modesto High School

- Location: Modesto City High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 2,516 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#22. Ceres High School

- Location: Ceres Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,777 (24:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#21. Merced High School

- Location: Merced Union High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,894 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#20. Golden Valley High School

- Location: Merced Union High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,956 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#19. Independence High (Alternative)

- Location: Merced Union High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 119 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#18. Patterson High School

- Location: Patterson Joint Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,888 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#17. Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley

- Location: Modesto, CA
- Enrollment: 624 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#16. Buhach Colony High School

- Location: Merced Union High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,746 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#15. Turlock High School

- Location: Turlock Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 2,475 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#14. Oakdale Charter School

- Location: Oakdale Joint Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 53 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#13. Fred C. Beyer High School

- Location: Modesto City High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,575 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#12. Orestimba High School

- Location: Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,045 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#11. Hilmar High School

- Location: Hilmar Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 693 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#10. Hughson High School

- Location: Hughson Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 835 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#9. Escalon High School

- Location: Escalon Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 812 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#8. Central Valley High School

- Location: Ceres Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 2,309 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#7. Oakdale High School

- Location: Oakdale Joint Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,644 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#6. El Capitan High School

- Location: Merced Union High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 1,839 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#5. John H. Pitman High School

- Location: Turlock Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 2,082 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#4. Joseph A. Gregori High School

- Location: Modesto City High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 2,332 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#3. James C. Enochs High School

- Location: Modesto City High School District, CA
- Enrollment: 2,420 (28:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#2. Whitmore Charter High School

- Location: Ceres Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 98 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A

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#1. Ripon High School

- Location: Ripon Unified School District, CA
- Enrollment: 998 (20:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A

This story features data reporting by Rob Powell and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 97 metros.

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