Best High Schools
in San Diego, California
We ranked the 63 high schools in San Diego with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.2 and 9.0 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in San Diego for 2026 are San Diego Virtual (9.0/10), East Village Middle College High (9.0/10), and Mission Bay High (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 63 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in San Diego?
Every high 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.
San Diego Virtual
San Diego, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
East Village Middle College High
San Diego, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Mission Bay High
San Diego, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
San Diego's high school landscape spans 53 ranked schools, with performance ranging from solid to standout. Mission Bay High leads the field at 8.9 out of 10, followed closely by King-Chavez Community High at 8.8 and East Village Middle College High at 8.6. The average composite score across the metro sits at 6.5 out of 10 — meaning the top performers pull significantly ahead of the pack. That gap matters when you're comparing options. Nearly half the ranked schools — 23 in total — score 7 or above, giving families a real range of strong choices across the region. Whether you're prioritizing academics, location, or school type, the table below lets you sort by the metrics that matter most to your search. Start with the scores, then dig into the details.
San Diego Virtual
East Village Middle College High
Mission Bay High
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked San Diego's High 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 63 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego Virtual Charter San Diego Virtual District | 9.0 |
| 2 | East Village Middle College High San Diego Unified | 9.0 |
| 3 | Mission Bay High San Diego Unified | 8.8 |
| 4 | Scripps Ranch High San Diego Unified | 8.7 |
| 5 | University City High San Diego Unified | 8.6 |
| 6 | Kearny Eng Innov & Design San Diego Unified | 8.6 |
| 7 | High Tech High North County Charter High Tech High North County District | 8.5 |
| 8 | High Tech High Chula Vista Charter High Tech High Chula Vista District | 8.4 |
| 9 | Del Norte High Poway Unified | 8.4 |
| 10 | Kearny Digital Media & Design San Diego Unified | 8.4 |
| 11 | School for Entrepreneurship and Technology Charter School for Entrepreneurship and Technology District | 8.3 |
| 12 | High Tech High Charter High Tech High District | 8.2 |
| 13 | King-chavez Community High Charter King-Chavez Community High District | 8.0 |
| 14 | Mt. Carmel High Poway Unified | 8.0 |
| 15 | Kearny School of Biomedical Science and Technology San Diego Unified | 8.0 |
| 16 | Westview High Poway Unified | 7.9 |
| 17 | Henry High San Diego Unified | 7.9 |
| 18 | E3 Civic High Charter e3 Civic High District | 7.8 |
| 19 | Mira Mesa High San Diego Unified | 7.8 |
| 20 | Health Sciences High and Middle College Charter Health Sciences High and Middle College District | 7.6 |
| 21 | Fusion San Diego Scripps Ranch | 7.5 |
| 22 | Community School of San Diego | 7.5 |
| 23 | Cook Education Center | 7.3 |
| 24 | Rancho Bernardo High Poway Unified | 7.2 |
| 25 | Point Loma High San Diego Unified | 7.2 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High 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 High Schools
Choosing the Right High 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 high school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 101 schools spanning 69 school districts, plus 21 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 high school in San Diego, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, San Diego Virtual is the top-rated high school in San Diego with a composite score of 9.0/10. 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 high schools are in San Diego, California?
San Diego has 101 high schools, including 21 charter schools. Of these, 65 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in San Diego?
The average composite score for San Diego high schools is 6.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
How does MySchoolScout rate high 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 high school rankings?
Yes. San Diego has 21 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.