Photo: Ryanx7 · CC BY-SA 4.0Ceres’s public schools score below 57% of California districts on tests and graduation
17% of students in Ceres’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Ceres, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Ceres’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 547 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ceres’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 43% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,511 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Aspire Summit Charter Academy is in town. Endeavor Alternative, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Ceres’s grade
C+: better than 43% of California school districts, #574 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ceres, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Ceres · depends on your address
Cesar Chavez Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 685 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Mae Hensley Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 636 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Blaker-Kinser Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 603 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ceres · depends on your address
Cesar Chavez Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 685 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Mae Hensley Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 636 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Blaker-Kinser Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 603 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ceres
Ceres High
Grades 9–12 · 1,660 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ceres
Ceres High
Grades 9–12 · 1,660 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ceres
Ceres High
Grades 9–12 · 1,660 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ceres
Ceres High
Grades 9–12 · 1,660 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Ceres runs its own schools through grade 12 (Ceres Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Modesto City High School District, shared with Modesto and Riverbank. Parts of Ceres (11% of its land) are served by Modesto City Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Ceres
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Ceres vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Ceres’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ceres | C+ | Ceres Unified K–12 · Modesto City High 9–12 |
Every school in Ceres
20 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Ceres’s schools
Are Ceres’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ceres children attend score below 57% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #574 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ceres in?
Two districts: Ceres Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Modesto City High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Modesto and Riverbank.
Where do Ceres kids go to high school?
Ceres High, with 1,660 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Ceres’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Modesto City High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Ceres spend per student?
$19,511 in Ceres Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Ceres families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ceres → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.