The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in San Diego for 2026 are Solana Highlands Elementary (9.6/10), Ihigh Virtual Academy (9.2/10), and Sequoia Elementary (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 181 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
San Diego's elementary landscape spans 181 ranked schools, giving families a wide but navigable field. The average composite score sits at 6.5/10, yet nearly half the ranked schools — 82 in total — clear the 7/10 threshold, signaling a strong upper tier worth examining closely. Leading that tier is Sequoia Elementary at 9.4/10, followed by Sage Canyon at 9.0/10 and a cluster of schools including Holmes Elementary, Clairemont Canyons Academy, and Wegeforth Elementary each scoring 8.8/10. The gap between the average and the top performers means school choice here genuinely matters. A family zoned for a 6.5 school and a family zoned for a 9.4 school are looking at meaningfully different academic environments. Use the table below to sort by score, filter by neighborhood, or compare specific campuses side by side — the data will do the heavy lifting.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.6
- 29.2
- 39.1
- 49.0
- 58.9
- 68.9
- 78.8
- 88.8
- 98.8
- 108.7
All 181 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 181
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Solana Highlands ElementarySolana Beach Elementarystudents 417student-teacher ratio 21.9:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 2Ihigh Virtual AcademySan Diego Unifiedstudents 150student-teacher ratio 16.7:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 3Sequoia ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 170student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 4Adobe Bluffs ElementaryPoway Unifiedstudents 549student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 5Chesterton ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 403student-teacher ratio 23.7:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 6Jefferson ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 381student-teacher ratio 23.8:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 7Pacific SkyDel Mar Union Elementarystudents 363student-teacher ratio 20.2:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 8Hardy ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 391student-teacher ratio 26.1:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 9Longfellow K-8San Diego Unifiedstudents 666student-teacher ratio 23.0:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 10Birney ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 535student-teacher ratio 24.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 11Field ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 263student-teacher ratio 20.2:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 12Garfield ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 302student-teacher ratio 23.2:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 13Empower Language AcademycharterEmpower Language Academy Districtstudents 147student-teacher ratio 21.0:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 14Alcott ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 226student-teacher ratio 22.6:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 15Fletcher ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 142student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 16Carmel Del Mar ElementaryDel Mar Union Elementarystudents 583student-teacher ratio 22.4:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 17Sunset Hills ElementaryPoway Unifiedstudents 372student-teacher ratio 24.8:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 18Mckinley ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 573student-teacher ratio 27.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 19Rowan ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 220student-teacher ratio 22.0:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 20Bethune K-8San Diego Unifiedstudents 529student-teacher ratio 25.2:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 21King-Chavez Primary AcademycharterKing-Chavez Primary Academy Districtstudents 358student-teacher ratio 22.4:1grades Kindergarten–3rd
- 22Dewey ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 285student-teacher ratio 19.0:1grades Kindergarten–4th
- 23Nestor Language Academy ChartercharterSouth Bay Unionstudents 1,070student-teacher ratio 24.9:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 24Adams ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 289student-teacher ratio 24.1:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 25Angier ElementarySan Diego Unifiedstudents 401student-teacher ratio 21.1:1grades Kindergarten–5th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Solana Highlands Elementary
Solana Beach Elementary
417 students · 21.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–6th
Top 1% in California
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 9.2
- 2
Ihigh Virtual Academy
San Diego Unified
150 students · 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 1% in California
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 9.3
- Environment
- 9.6
- 3
Sequoia Elementary
San Diego Unified
170 students · 17.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–6th
Top 1% in California
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 9.1
- Environment
- 9.0
- 4
Adobe Bluffs Elementary
Poway Unified
549 students · 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 2% in California
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 8.3
- 5
Chesterton Elementary
San Diego Unified
403 students · 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 3% in California
- Academics
- 9.3
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 7.3
- 6
Jefferson Elementary
San Diego Unified
381 students · 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 3% in California
- Academics
- 9.3
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 6.9
- 7
Pacific Sky
Del Mar Union Elementary
363 students · 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–6th
Top 3% in California
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 8.2
- Environment
- 9.4
- 8
Hardy Elementary
San Diego Unified
391 students · 26.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 4% in California
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 4.9
- 9
Longfellow K-8
San Diego Unified
666 students · 23.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 4% in California
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 9.1
- Environment
- 7.9
- 10
Birney Elementary
San Diego Unified
535 students · 24.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 4% in California
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 7.3
Questions
What is the best elementary school in San Diego, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Solana Highlands Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in San Diego with a composite score of 9.6/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in San Diego, California?
San Diego has 225 elementary schools, including 26 charter schools. Of these, 212 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in San Diego?
Among 212 San Diego elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 6.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within California, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the San Diego elementary school rankings?
San Diego has 26 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in San Diego2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in San Diego2026 rankings and ratings
- All 391 schools in San DiegoElementary, middle and high
- California schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings