Best Schools in San Diego County, CA
San Diego County, CA has 931 public schools (139 high, 105 middle, 573 elementary) serving 506,406 students. On average they score 42% on state proficiency tests against a projected 38%, so schools in San Diego County exceed expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in San Diego County, CA
The top high schools in San Diego County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Canyon Crest Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Dieguito Union High • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2336 Students
2. Grossmont Middle College High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Grossmont Union High • Public • Grades 11 - 12 • 49 Students
3. Scripps Ranch High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Diego Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1984 Students
4. Del Norte High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Poway Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2531 Students
5. Westview High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Poway Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2257 Students
6. Helix High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Helix High District • Charter • Grades 9 - 12 • 2502 Students
7. River Valley Charter
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
River Valley Charter District • Charter • Grades 7 - 12 • 228 Students
8. Coronado High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Coronado Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1045 Students
9. Eastlake High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Sweetwater Union High • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2783 Students
10. Sage Creek High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Carlsbad Unified • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1392 Students
Best Middle Schools in San Diego County, CA
The top middle schools in San Diego County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Solana Pacific Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Solana Beach Elementary • Public • Grades 4 - 6 • 438 Students
2. Pacific Trails Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Dieguito Union High • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 919 Students
3. College Preparatory Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
College Preparatory Middle District • Charter • Grades 5 - 8 • 394 Students
4. Carmel Valley Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Dieguito Union High • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 768 Students
5. R. Roger Rowe Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Rancho Santa Fe Elementary • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 224 Students
6. Mesa Verde Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Poway Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1040 Students
7. Oak Valley Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Poway Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1515 Students
8. Marshall Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Diego Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1317 Students
9. Earl Warren Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Dieguito Union High • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 517 Students
10. Muirlands Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Diego Unified • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 696 Students
Best Elementary Schools in San Diego County, CA
The top elementary schools in San Diego County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Ocean Air
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Del Mar Union Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 510 Students
2. Sage Canyon
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Del Mar Union Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 503 Students
3. La Jolla Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Diego Unified • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 489 Students
4. R. Roger Rowe Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Rancho Santa Fe Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 350 Students
5. Carmel Del Mar Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Del Mar Union Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 557 Students
6. Solana Highlands Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Solana Beach Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 373 Students
7. Del Mar Heights Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Del Mar Union Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 311 Students
8. Solana Ranch Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Solana Beach Elementary • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 514 Students
9. Curie Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Diego Unified • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 533 Students
10. Pacific Rim Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Carlsbad Unified • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 673 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in San Diego County, CA
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
San Diego County, CA has a total population of 3,298,634 with 26% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 89%, and 42% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in San Diego County, CA
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood San Diego County, CA.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
27.25 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
4.36 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
22.89 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in San Diego County, CA.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for San Diego County, CA.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit San Diego County, CA Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in San Diego County, CA
How many schools are in San Diego County, CA?
San Diego County, CA has 931 public schools: 139 high schools, 105 middle schools and 573 elementary schools, serving 506,406 students in total.
How do schools in San Diego County perform on state tests?
On average, 931 schools in San Diego County score 42% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 38%, so on average schools in San Diego County exceed expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in San Diego County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near San Diego County, CA
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 28%
- Projected: 23%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 27%
- Projected: 20%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 25%
- Projected: 26%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 31%
- Projected: 23%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 37%
- Projected: 24%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 37%
- Projected: 29%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 27%
- Projected: 28%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 39%
- Projected: 30%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 38%
- Projected: 29%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 35%
- Projected: 35%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in San Diego County
43 places in San Diego County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (43)
- San Diego (264)
- Chula Vista (61)
- El Cajon (42)
- Escondido (35)
- Oceanside (35)
- Vista (23)
- Carlsbad (22)
- San Marcos (17)
- La Mesa (16)
- National City (15)
- Spring Valley (15)
- Poway (13)
- Lakeside (12)
- Encinitas (11)
- Santee (11)
- Ramona (10)
- Fallbrook (9)
- Valley Center (9)
- Alpine (6)
- Imperial Beach (6)
- San Ysidro (6)
- Julian (5)
- La Jolla (5)
- Coronado (4)
- Lemon Grove (4)
- Pine Valley (4)
- Bonita (3)
- Bonsall (3)
- Borrego Springs (3)
- Jamul (3)
- Rancho Santa Fe (3)
- Solana Beach (3)
- Campo (2)
- Cardiff By The Sea (2)
- Del Mar (2)
- Warner Springs (2)
- Boulevard (1)
- Descanso (1)
- Pala (1)
- Pauma Valley (1)
- Potrero (1)
- Rainbow (1)
- Santa Ysabel (1)
School districts (32)
- San Diego Unified (174 schools)
- Chula Vista Elementary (41 schools)
- Poway Unified (38 schools)
- Sweetwater Union High (28 schools)
- Vista Unified (28 schools)
- Cajon Valley Union (25 schools)
- Escondido Union (24 schools)
- Oceanside Unified (24 schools)
- La Mesa-Spring Valley (22 schools)
- San Marcos Unified (19 schools)
- Carlsbad Unified (16 schools)
- Grossmont Union High (15 schools)
- South Bay Union (12 schools)
- Santee (11 schools)
- National Elementary (10 schools)
- San Dieguito Union High (10 schools)
- Encinitas Union Elementary (9 schools)
- Fallbrook Union Elementary (9 schools)
- Lakeside Union Elementary (9 schools)
- Mountain Empire Unified (9 schools)
- Del Mar Union Elementary (8 schools)
- Valley Center-Pauma Unified (8 schools)
- San Ysidro Elementary (7 schools)
- Solana Beach Elementary (7 schools)
- Lemon Grove (6 schools)
- San Diego County Office of Education (6 schools)
- Alpine Union Elementary (5 schools)
- Bonsall Unified (5 schools)
- Escondido Union High (5 schools)
- Coronado Unified (4 schools)
- Borrego Springs Unified (3 schools)
- Fallbrook Union High (3 schools)