Best Schools in EL Cajon, California
58 schools · 35 Elementary · 8 Middle · 12 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in EL Cajon?
Use this page to compare every school in EL Cajon by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Grossmont Middle College High
High · Grossmont Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Rios Elementary
Elementary · Cajon Valley Union. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hillsdale Middle
Middle · Cajon Valley Union. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in EL Cajon for 2026 are Grossmont Middle College High (8.8/10), Rios Elementary (7.9/10), and Hillsdale Middle (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 38 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
58
39 public · 19 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$680,333
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Schools
58
39 public · 19 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$680,333
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Rates 7.9/10 despite 77% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.7 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among EL Cajon schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +7.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among EL Cajon schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in EL Cajon
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 38 rated schools; 58 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grossmont Middle College High | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Rios Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Hillsdale Middle | 7.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Cajon Valley Home | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Dehesa Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Eje Elementary Academy Charter | 7.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Literacy First Charter | 6.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Eje Middle Academy | 6.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Crest Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Vista Grande Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $80,689
- Median home value
- $680,333
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 54%
15% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How EL Cajon compares
California rank
#539 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$81k
81% of California median
Schools in this city
46
Cajon Valley Union runs 62% of EL Cajon's public schools
EL Cajon touches 10 districts, but Cajon Valley Union is the one most addresses actually attend.
Cajon Valley Union accounts for 24 of 39 public schools (62%). The other 9 districts hold the remaining 15.
Among 38 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.5 to 8.8 — the spread is inside EL Cajon, not a citywide average.
6 of the 39 public schools are charters (15%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Cajon Valley Union24 public · 62%
- Grossmont Union High7 public · 18%
- Bostonia Global District1 public · 3%
- Dehesa Elementary1 public · 3%
- Diego Valley East Public Charter District1 public · 3%
About Schools in EL Cajon, California
El Cajon's public school landscape spans 38 ranked schools, giving families a broad range of options across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The city average sits at 5.0 out of 10, which means performance varies considerably from school to school. Only 4 schools — 11% of ranked campuses — clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, so the gap between the strongest and weakest options is real and worth paying attention to during your search.
At the top of the field, Cajon Valley Home leads all El Cajon public schools with a score of 8.0 out of 10. It is an elementary-level program and the only school in the city to reach that mark. Close behind is Grossmont Middle College High, a high school rated 7.9 — making it the strongest option for older students and one of the city's two highest-performing schools overall. Rancho San Diego Elementary (7.5) and Kidinnu Academy (7.3) round out the top tier at the elementary level, giving younger children a few strong local options to consider. Hillsdale Middle (6.8) is the standout at the middle school level, though it sits just below the 7-point cutoff.
The broader picture tells a more mixed story. With three-quarters of ranked schools scoring below 6.0, many El Cajon campuses fall in the mid-to-lower performance range. Families who prioritize academic outcomes will need to look carefully at individual school scores rather than assuming neighborhood assignment lands them in a higher-performing program.
Practically speaking, parents researching El Cajon should start by checking which schools are available within their district boundaries, then compare scores against the city's 5.0 average as a baseline. The concentration of top-rated schools at the elementary level is notable — strong early options exist, but the middle school tier offers fewer standout choices. For high school, Grossmont Middle College High is the clear frontrunner in rated performance. Use school-level scores, not city averages, to drive your decision.
Elementary Schools
35 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 261 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 164 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.5 |
| 3 | 221 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 569 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 269 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.5 |
| 6 | 610 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 |
| 7 | 415 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 |
| 8 | 655 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.1 |
| 9 | 338 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 |
| 10 | 653 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 |
Show all 35 elementary schools in EL Cajon
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,483 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 258 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 3 | 703 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 | ||
| 4 | 868 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 5 | 552 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 | ||
| 6 | 930 students · 6th–8th | 4.2 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 54 students · 6th–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 144 students · 6th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51 students · 11th–12th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 1,845 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 76 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 4 | 38 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 2,414 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 | ||
| 6 | 1,672 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 | ||
| 7 | 138 students · 9th–12th | 3.4 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 262 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 265 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | OycheniePrivate 6 students · 2nd–9th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 12 high schools in EL Cajon
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,050 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 1,175 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.2 |
| 3 | 399 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.5 |
Schools in EL Cajon
EL Cajon, California · 58 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$80,689
Median Home Value
$680,333
Median Rent
$1,917/mo
Population
173,597
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Community Profile
EL Cajon has a median household income of $80,689. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $680,333, with a median rent of $1,917/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 35
- Middle
- 8
- High
- 12
- Other
- 3
Resources
School Districts (10)
EJE Middle Academy District
1 school · 258 students
EJE Elementary Academy Charter District
1 school · 569 students
Literacy First Charter District
1 school · 2,050 students
Diego Valley East Public Charter District
1 school · 399 students
Kidinnu Academy District
1 school · 338 students
Bostonia Global District
1 school · 1,175 students
Cajon Valley Union
26 schools · 15,607 students
Dehesa Elementary
1 school · 223 students
Grossmont Union High
15 schools · 16,566 students
Santee
11 schools · 6,159 students
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in EL Cajon, California
How many schools are in EL Cajon, California?
EL Cajon has 58 schools, including 39 public and 19 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in EL Cajon, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in EL Cajon is 5.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in EL Cajon, California?
The top-ranked school in EL Cajon on MySchoolScout is Grossmont Middle College High with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in EL Cajon, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in EL Cajon on MySchoolScout is Rios Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in EL Cajon, California?
The top-ranked middle school in EL Cajon on MySchoolScout is Hillsdale Middle with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in EL Cajon, California?
The top-ranked high school in EL Cajon on MySchoolScout is Grossmont Middle College High with a composite score of 8.8/10.
How many school districts serve EL Cajon, California?
EL Cajon is served by 10 school districts: Eje Middle Academy District, Eje Elementary Academy Charter District, Literacy First Charter District, Diego Valley East Public Charter District, Kidinnu Academy District, Bostonia Global District, Cajon Valley Union, Dehesa Elementary, Grossmont Union High, Santee.
What is the education level in EL Cajon, California?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in EL Cajon have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in EL Cajon, California?
The median household income in EL Cajon is approximately $80,689 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in EL Cajon, California?
Yes, EL Cajon has 19 private schools alongside 39 public schools. The top-rated private school is Holy Trinity Elementary School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in EL Cajon, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in EL Cajon is 28.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in EL Cajon, 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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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.