Best Schools in Chula Vista, California
82 schools · 51 Elementary · 6 Middle · 18 High · 7 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $119,826
- Median home value
- $741,660
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
32% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chula Vista compares
California rank
#337 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$120k
120% of California median
Schools in this city
72
About Schools in Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista's public school system spans 62 ranked schools with an average score of 6.1 out of 10, placing it in competitive but uneven territory for San Diego County families. The city's elementary sector drives most of the strong performance, while the overall spread means school selection matters more here than in more uniformly high-scoring cities.
The top of the range is genuinely strong. Palomar Elementary leads the city with a 9.3 out of 10, followed closely by McMillin (Corky) Elementary at 8.8, Halecrest Elementary at 8.7, Fahari L. Jeffers Elementary at 8.6, and Veterans Elementary at 8.5. All five are elementary schools, signaling that Chula Vista's highest performers are concentrated in the earlier grades. Parents of young children have real options at the top end.
The broader picture requires attention. Only 19 of the city's 62 ranked schools — 31% — score 7 or above, meaning roughly two-thirds fall below that threshold. That gap between the city's ceiling and its average of 6.1 is significant. Families who prioritize academics should research specific attendance zones carefully rather than assuming neighborhood proximity guarantees access to a high-scoring school. Chula Vista is large and geographically spread, and school quality shifts noticeably across different parts of the city.
For parents doing their research, a few practical points stand out. Elementary-level options offer the widest selection of high performers, so families with school-age children entering kindergarten have the most to gain from comparing addresses to attendance boundaries early. The 31% rate of schools scoring 7 or above means strong schools exist across the city but aren't evenly distributed — targeted searching by zip code and grade level will surface better matches than broad city-level averages alone. MySchoolScout profiles for each of the 62 ranked schools include scores, grade spans, and comparable peer data, giving Chula Vista parents a faster way to narrow the list before visiting campuses.
Elementary Schools
51 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 325 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 696 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 431 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 424 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.6 |
| 5 | 814 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 |
| 6 | 290 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 |
| 7 | 470 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.8 |
| 8 | 456 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 |
| 9 | 574 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 |
| 10 | 923 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.1 |
| 11 | 300 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.0 |
| 12 | 501 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.9 |
| 13 | 968 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.7 |
| 14 | 390 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.5 |
| 15 | 514 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 16 | 355 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 17 | 553 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 18 | 580 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 19 | 765 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 20 | 814 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 21 | 923 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 22 | 383 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.8 |
| 23 | 330 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.5 |
| 24 | 460 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.5 |
| 25 | 1,104 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.5 |
Show 26 more elementary schools
| 26 | 483 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 | ||
| 27 | 894 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 | ||
| 28 | 334 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| 29 | 735 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 | ||
| 30 | 468 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 | ||
| 31 | 547 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 | ||
| 32 | 614 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.8 | ||
| 33 | 924 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.7 | ||
| 34 | 263 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 | ||
| 35 | 463 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 | ||
| 36 | 592 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 | ||
| 37 | 516 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.4 | ||
| 38 | 393 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.4 | ||
| 39 | 1,096 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.8 | ||
| 40 | 180 students · Kindergarten–8th | 2.8 | ||
| 41 | 29 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
| Private Schools 10 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | MONTESSORI HILLS ACADEMY
Private
48 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | MONTESSORI AMERICAN SCHOOL
Private
38 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | ST PIUS X SCHOOL
Private
276 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL
Private
318 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | KINDERLAND MONTESSORI
Private
42 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Mindful Montessori School
Private
24 students · 1st–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | BONITA LEARNING ACADEMY
Private
28 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | EASTLAKE CHURCH CHILDREN CENTER
Private
14 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | 26 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
| 10 | MONTESSORI EXPLORER ELEMENTARY
Private
23 students · Pre-K–2nd | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,625 students · 7th–8th | 6.2 |
| 2 | 927 students · 7th–8th | 5.6 |
| 3 | 885 students · 7th–8th | 5.1 |
| 4 | 670 students · 7th–8th | 4.8 |
| 5 | 1,691 students · 7th–8th | 4.8 |
| 6 | 673 students · 7th–8th | 3.9 |
High Schools
18 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,049 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 2,324 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 3 | 2,710 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 4 | 1,980 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 5 | 1,381 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 6 | 1,841 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 7 | 30 students · 7th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 8 | 2,546 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 9 | 63 students · 7th–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 10 | 71 students · 7th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 11 | 155 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 12 | 299 students · 7th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 13 | 374 students · 7th–12th | 3.4 | ||
| Private Schools 5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Private
1,037 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Berean Bible Baptist Academy
Private
20 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | CWB Academy
Private
93 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | The A List Academy
Private
6 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Innovative online academy
Private
200 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,458 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 1,555 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 1,305 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
385 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
38 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
331 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | BEREAN BIBLE BAPTIST ACADEMY
Private
31 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Chula Vista
Chula Vista, California · 82 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$119,826
Median Home Value
$741,660
Median Rent
$2,543/mo
Population
272,064
College Educated
37%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Community Profile
Chula Vista has a median household income of $119,826. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $741,660, with a median rent of $2,543/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 82
- Elementary
- 51
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 18
- Districts
- 13
- Avg Rating
- 6.1/10
Resources
School Districts (13)
Altus Schools South Bay District
1 school · 374 students
Howard Gardner Community Charter District
1 school · 180 students
Mueller Charter (Robert L.) District
1 school · 1,555 students
Arroyo Vista Charter District
1 school · 924 students
MAAC Community Charter District
1 school · 155 students
Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter District
1 school · 263 students
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter District
1 school · 1,458 students
Hawking S.T.E.A.M. Charter District
1 school · 1,305 students
Feaster (Mae L.) Charter District
1 school · 1,096 students
Discovery Charter District
1 school · 968 students
Chula Vista Elementary
43 schools · 22,285 students
Sweetwater Union High
29 schools · 35,226 students
San Diego County Office of Education
8 schools · 1,064 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Chula Vista, California
How many schools are in Chula Vista, California?
Chula Vista has 82 schools, including 63 public and 19 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chula Vista, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chula Vista is 6.1 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Chula Vista, California?
The top-ranked school in Chula Vista on MySchoolScout is Palomar Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chula Vista, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chula Vista on MySchoolScout is Palomar Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Chula Vista, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Chula Vista on MySchoolScout is Rancho Del Rey Middle with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best high school in Chula Vista, California?
The top-ranked high school in Chula Vista on MySchoolScout is Bonita Vista Senior High with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Chula Vista, California?
Chula Vista is served by 13 school districts: Altus Schools South Bay District, Howard Gardner Community Charter District, Mueller Charter (robert L.) District, Arroyo Vista Charter District, Maac Community Charter District, Leonardo Da Vinci Health Sciences Charter District, Chula Vista Learning Community Charter District, Hawking S.t.e.a.m. Charter District, Feaster (mae L.) Charter District, Discovery Charter District, Chula Vista Elementary, Sweetwater Union High, San Diego County Office of Education.
What is the education level in Chula Vista, California?
According to Census data, 37% of adults in Chula Vista have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chula Vista, California?
The median household income in Chula Vista is approximately $119,826 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chula Vista, California?
Yes, Chula Vista has 19 private schools alongside 63 public schools. The top-rated private school is Calvary Christian Academy with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chula Vista, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chula Vista is 18.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chula Vista, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.