Whale Gulch High

Leggett Valley Unified
76811 Usal Rd.
Whitethorn, CA 95589
11 Students
High School 9th - 12th
School Overview
Whale Gulch High School, located in the remote coastal wilderness of Whitethorn, California, is a unique, small-scale educational institution that serves the isolated communities of the King Range and the "Lost Coast." Because of its geographic location at the end of a long, rugged road, the school operates as a vital hub for a tight-knit, rural population. It is known for its non-traditional approach, often focusing on a student-centered curriculum that reflects the independent and self-reliant spirit of the surrounding community.

Given its setting, the school typically maintains a very low student-to-teacher ratio, fostering a personalized learning environment that is rare in larger districts. The educational experience at Whale Gulch is heavily influenced by its natural surroundings, frequently emphasizing environmental stewardship and hands-on learning. While it offers the essential academic foundation required by the state, the school’s culture is defined by its intimacy, flexibility, and deep integration with the unconventional, off-the-grid lifestyle of the families living in the nearby redwood forests and coastal areas.
11
Total Students
2.3
Full-Time Teachers
4.8
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • White
    4 (40.0 %)
  • Hispanic
    3 (30.0 %)
  • Black
    1 (10.0 %)
  • Two or More
    1 (10.0 %)
  • American Indian
    1 (10.0 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status: N/A
District: Leggett Valley Unified
Phone: (707)986-7131
Grade Range: 9th - 12th
Total Students: 11
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 2.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 4.8
NSLP Participation:1 N/A
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Grade 9 2
Grade 10 3
Grade 11 2
Grade 12 4
Gender Ratio