Southern Trinity Joint Unified

Located at 680 Van Duzen Rd. in Mad River, California, Southern Trinity Joint Unified School District serves as a vital educational anchor for its local mountain communities. Set within a remote rural environment, this traditional, non-charter public school district remains fully operational across its four school facilities. Southern Trinity offers a comprehensive educational pathway spanning from kindergarten through 12th grade, alongside adult education programs. With a current student body of 71 learners, the district provides a close-knit academic environment where children from primary grades through high school graduation benefit from strong community ties and continuous learning pathways.

A defining characteristic of Southern Trinity Joint Unified is its extraordinary level of dedicated staffing relative to its student population. The district is powered by approximately 16 full-time equivalent teachers, supported by nearly 7 instructional aides and more than 26 dedicated support personnel, bringing total staffing to nearly 50 full-time equivalent positions. This robust educator presence results in an exceptionally low student-to-teacher ratio, enabling highly individualized instruction, personal mentorship, and wrapped-around academic support rarely found in larger public school systems. For families, students, and educational researchers, the district offers a compelling model of small-school public education tailored to the unique strengths and needs of California’s rural remote communities.