The City of Lathrop has a great selection of schools available to residents, including elementary schools, high schools, charter schools, and several nearby colleges and vocational schools. To help those considering a move to our Stanford Crossing master-planned community, or anywhere else in our amazing city, below we’ve compiled a complete guide to the best educational options in Lathrop.
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Lathrop Elementary Schools
Lathrop is home to one main school district, the Manteca Unified School District. This district offers three elementary schools for grades K-8. Each has a staff of educators and mentors dedicated to helping young students grow and thrive. These Lathrop elementary schools have student populations ranging from around 700 kids to 900 — so little ones have plenty of opportunities for making friends, while still enjoying a school small enough that their teachers can focus on their individual needs.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the City of Lathrop elementary schools.
Lathrop Elementary School has been providing a well-rounded educational experience to students in Lathrop for over forty years now. Here, students from a wide variety of backgrounds come together to learn the essentials in a fun, positive environment.
In addition to the school’s great academics, Lathrop Elementary also offers students a wide variety of extracurricular activities both before and after school as part of MUSD’s Expanded Learning Program. These programs are completely free and geared toward enriching your child’s education through creative expression and socializing. Whether your child is a budding fashion designer, a future novelist, a chess whiz or a coding genius, they can find the support they need to grow at Lathrop Elementary School.
Named in honor of Joseph Widmer, Jr., a Manteca farmer and proponent of educational development in the MUSD, this elementary school is a great place for students grades K-8 to receive an inspiring and engaging education. As a Wildcat, your child will be encouraged to give back to the community in various ways, such as through pizza fundraisers or helping with the free food donation that the school runs on a weekly basis. The school also utilizes a framework known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, or PBIS, to ensure children are learning in a positive environment that fosters growth in all areas of development, from their physical wellbeing to mental health and social skills.
Boasting an above-average rating for student math and reading proficiency, Mossdale is another excellent elementary school in Lathrop. This school has tons of school spirit, so you can be sure your child will feel welcomed and part of the community. In addition to their notable academics, Mossdale Elementary School offers students several opportunities for expanding their education and enrichment through extracurriculars. Students have the chance to participate in activities such as science camp, volleyball, art clubs and much more.
These elementary schools in Lathrop are only about ten minutes from one another, and each are conveniently a short, five-minute drive from our neighborhood at Stanford Crossing. In addition to the City of Lathrop’s three elementary schools listed above, there are also two public charter elementary institutions servicing Lathrop as part of the Banta Unified School District, where students can receive a more specialized education.
Lathrop High Schools
For the older kids, there are two high schools that service the Lathrop area as a part of the MUSD. Both of these are fairly large, with student bodies of over 1,000, ensuring that your child has plenty of opportunities to socialize and engage with their community. Lathrop High School is within walking distance of the homes at Stanford Crossing, making it a convenient choice for families nearby. If you don’t mind a slightly longer commute, Tracy High School is a quick fifteen minutes away.
Lathrop High School has everything students need for an exciting, well-rounded and educational high school experience. The student body, which totals around 1,300 students, consistently performs higher than the state average across the board in reading proficiency and boasts around a 95% graduation rate, compared to the state average of 84%.
Additionally, Lathrop High School offers several Advanced Placement (AP) courses and holds a 60% pass rate for AP exams. Students also get plenty of chances to engage in extracurriculars — Lathrop High School maintains several athletics programs, including volleyball, swimming, tennis, football, baseball and many more. If athletics isn’t your thing, you’ll still find plenty of avenues for growth, such as through student leadership opportunities or participating in clubs. The school also features a reward system for school spirit, providing a points-based incentive for students to participate in the planning and execution of school events.
With a student population of over 2,000, Tracy High School’s programs and offerings reflect the diversity of its student body. Here, students will receive the preparation they need ahead of a thriving college and career path. Tracy High offers several International Baccalaureate (IB) courses for students who want to get ahead, allowing students to participate in a full IB diploma pathway or to take individual courses. For those who are interested in a career in agriculture, the school also has a robust Future Farmers of America (FFA) program that gives students invaluable skills such as land management, veterinary basics and more.
Colleges & Vocational Schools in Lathrop
Whether you have a child graduating soon or you are considering a return to education yourself, you can find the right schools in and around Lathrop. Lathrop is close to several universities, both private and public, as well as vocational schools that can help further your education — including:
Find the Best School in Lathrop for Your Family
When purchasing a new home, there are many factors to consider beyond simply the house itself. Of course, you want to find the home that suits you and your family’s specific budget, space and comfort needs — but you also want to ensure that the surrounding area supports a well-rounded life outside the home. When family-planning, knowing which schools are available nearby is certainly a main priority. So as you search for your perfect Stanford Crossing home, it’s useful to keep these Lathrop schools in mind.
For more help planning, check out our guide to living in Lathrop, as well as a look into why Lathrop is one of California’s most family-friendly communities.