Best Schools in La Jolla, California
20 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in La Jolla?
Use this page to compare every school in La Jolla 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.
Bird Rock Elementary
Elementary · San Diego Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Preuss School Ucsd
High · Preuss School Ucsd District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
La Jolla High
High · San Diego Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in La Jolla for 2026 are Bird Rock Elementary (8.7/10), Preuss School Ucsd (8.4/10), and La Jolla High (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
20
6 public · 14 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$1,857,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
20
6 public · 14 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$1,857,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among La Jolla schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in La Jolla
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 20 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bird Rock Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Preuss School Ucsd | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | La Jolla High | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | La Jolla Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Muirlands Middle | 7.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Torrey Pines Elementary | 6.1 / 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
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $141,822
- Median home value
- $1,857,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 85%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
57% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How La Jolla compares
California rank
#68 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$142k
142% of California median
Schools in this city
14
San Diego Unified runs 83% of La Jolla's public schools
La Jolla touches 2 districts, but San Diego Unified is the one most addresses actually attend.
San Diego Unified accounts for 5 of 6 public schools (83%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.1 to 8.7 — the spread is inside La Jolla, not a citywide average.
- San Diego Unified5 public · 83%
- Preuss School Ucsd District1 public · 17%
About Schools in La Jolla, California
La Jolla, California is home to 20 schools, including 6 public schools and 14 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in La Jolla perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in La Jolla is Bird Rock Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
La Jolla is served by 2 school districts: Preuss School UCSD District, San Diego Unified. These districts collectively serve 96,341 students.
La Jolla's community shows 85% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $141,822. The poverty rate in the area is 8.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 416 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 526 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 3 | 450 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
Private Schools8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 256 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Stella Maris AcademyPrivate 173 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | All Hallows AcademyPrivate 184 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | The Gillispie SchoolPrivate 198 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | The Childrens SchoolPrivate 188 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Beth MontessoriPrivate 7 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | The Evans SchoolPrivate 140 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in La Jolla
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 695 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | La Jolla Learning WorksPrivate 2 students · 3rd–4th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 849 students · 6th–12th | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | 1,213 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Bishop's SchoolPrivate 800 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Greenfield EduPrivate 28 students · 8th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Jolla Country Day SchoolPrivate 1,110 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Day PrepPrivate 39 students · Kindergarten–10th | Not Rated |
| 3 | 27 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
Schools in La Jolla
La Jolla, California · 20 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$141,822
Median Home Value
$1,857,800
Median Rent
$2,632/mo
Population
43,374
College Educated
85%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Community Profile
La Jolla has a median household income of $141,822. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,857,800, with a median rent of $2,632/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
- Other
- 3
Resources
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 La Jolla, California
How many schools are in La Jolla, California?
La Jolla has 20 schools, including 6 public and 14 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in La Jolla, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in La Jolla is 7.2 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 La Jolla, California?
The top-ranked school in La Jolla on MySchoolScout is Bird Rock Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in La Jolla, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in La Jolla on MySchoolScout is Bird Rock Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in La Jolla, California?
The top-ranked middle school in La Jolla on MySchoolScout is Muirlands Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in La Jolla, California?
The top-ranked high school in La Jolla on MySchoolScout is Preuss School Ucsd with a composite score of 8.4/10.
How many school districts serve La Jolla, California?
La Jolla is served by 2 school districts: Preuss School Ucsd District, San Diego Unified.
What is the education level in La Jolla, California?
According to Census data, 85% of adults in La Jolla have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in La Jolla, California?
The median household income in La Jolla is approximately $141,822 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in La Jolla, California?
Yes, La Jolla has 14 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is San Diego French American School with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in La Jolla, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in La Jolla is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in La Jolla, 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.