Best Elementary Schools
in San Diego, California
We ranked the 208 elementary schools in San Diego with real test data. The top 25 scored between 8.7 and 9.4 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in San Diego for 2026 are Solana Ranch Elementary (9.4/10), Carmel Del Mar Elementary (9.3/10), and Ocean Air (9.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 208 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in San Diego?
Every elementary school in San Diego is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Solana Ranch Elementary
San Diego, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Carmel Del Mar Elementary
San Diego, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Ocean Air
San Diego, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
Solana Ranch Elementary
Carmel Del Mar Elementary
Ocean Air
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked San Diego's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 208 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solana Ranch Elementary Solana Beach Elementary | 9.4 |
| 2 | Carmel Del Mar Elementary Del Mar Union Elementary | 9.3 |
| 3 | Ocean Air Del Mar Union Elementary | 9.2 |
| 4 | Barnard Elementary San Diego Unified | 9.2 |
| 5 | Holmes Elementary San Diego Unified | 9.2 |
| 6 | Ocean Beach Elementary San Diego Unified | 9.2 |
| 7 | Rolando Park Elementary San Diego Unified | 9.2 |
| 8 | Nye Elementary San Diego Unified | 9.1 |
| 9 | Carmel Creek Elementary Solana Beach Elementary | 9.1 |
| 10 | Sage Canyon Del Mar Union Elementary | 9.0 |
| 11 | Adobe Bluffs Elementary Poway Unified | 9.0 |
| 12 | Cadman Elementary San Diego Unified | 9.0 |
| 13 | Innovations Academy Charter Innovations Academy District | 8.9 |
| 14 | Rolling Hills Elementary Poway Unified | 8.9 |
| 15 | Sundance Elementary Poway Unified | 8.9 |
| 16 | Birney Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.9 |
| 17 | Jerabek Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.9 |
| 18 | Marvin Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.9 |
| 19 | Sunset View Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.9 |
| 20 | Scripps Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.9 |
| 21 | Kavod Charter Charter Kavod Charter District | 8.8 |
| 22 | Field Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.8 |
| 23 | Jefferson Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.8 |
| 24 | Silver Gate Elementary San Diego Unified | 8.8 |
| 25 | San Diego Global Vision Academy Charter San Diego Global Vision Academy District | 8.7 |
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.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in San Diego
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: San Diego's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in San Diego
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. San Diego's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 237 schools spanning 69 school districts, plus 26 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in San Diego, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Solana Ranch Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in San Diego with a composite score of 9.4/10. 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 237 elementary schools, including 26 charter schools. Of these, 210 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in San Diego?
The average composite score for San Diego elementary schools is 6.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives 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?
Yes. San Diego has 26 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.