School Overview
Duane E. Furman High School in Madera, California, serves as an alternative educational facility within the Madera Unified School District, specifically focusing on students who benefit from an Independent Study (IS) model. Unlike a traditional classroom environment, this program is designed to provide students with a flexible, self-paced academic experience. It is tailored for those who may need to balance their education with outside commitments, work, or personal circumstances, or for students who simply thrive in a non-traditional, self-directed learning environment.

The program emphasizes personalized academic growth by allowing students to complete coursework under the guidance of credentialed teachers. While the curriculum meets state standards and credit requirements for high school graduation, the delivery method shifts the responsibility of day-to-day work onto the student, necessitating strong time management and organizational skills. By offering this Independent Study pathway, Furman High serves as a vital resource in the district, ensuring that students who are unable to succeed in or attend a standard high school setting still have a clear, supported path toward earning their diploma.
301
Total Students
21.4
Full-Time Teachers
14.1
Student/Teacher Ratio
106.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Duane E. Furman Independent Study
Demographic Student Count
White26
Hispanic247
Black6
Asian9
Two or More8
American Indian5
  • Hispanic
    247 (82.1 %)
  • White
    26 (8.6 %)
  • Asian
    9 (3.0 %)
  • Two or More
    8 (2.7 %)
  • Black
    6 (2.0 %)
  • American Indian
    5 (1.7 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Other
School Type: Alternative School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: N/A
District: Madera Unified
Phone: (559)675-4482
Website: http://www.madera.k12.ca.us/fhs
Grade Range: K - 12th
Total Students: 301
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 21.4
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 14.1
NSLP Participation:1 N/A
Qualified Free Lunch: 288
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 33
Grades Taught
Kindergarten 8
Grade 1 15
Grade 2 14
Grade 3 16
Grade 4 9
Grade 5 15
Grade 6 16
Grade 7 20
Grade 8 28
Grade 9 26
Grade 10 32
Grade 11 46
Grade 12 56

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Duane E. Furman Independent Study
Grade Student Count
Kindergarten8
Grade 115
Grade 214
Grade 316
Grade 49
Grade 515
Grade 616
Grade 720
Grade 828
Grade 926
Grade 1032
Grade 1146
Grade 1256
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Duane E. Furman Independent Study
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female15049.8%
Male15150.2%