Best Schools in Lemon Grove, California
8 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Lemon Grove?
Use this page to compare every school in Lemon Grove 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.
Monterey Heights Elementary
Elementary · Lemon Grove. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mt. Vernon Elementary
Elementary · Lemon Grove. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
San Miguel Elementary
Elementary · Lemon Grove. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lemon Grove for 2026 are Monterey Heights Elementary (8.0/10), Mt. Vernon Elementary (7.6/10), and San Miguel Elementary (7.4/10), 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$640,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$640,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lemon Grove schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lemon Grove
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monterey Heights Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Mt. Vernon Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | San Miguel Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Lemon Grove Academy Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 5 | San Altos Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities | 5.9 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $79,381
- Median home value
- $640,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
57% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lemon Grove compares
California rank
#102 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$79k
80% of California median
Schools in this city
7
Lemon Grove runs Lemon Grove's public schools
7 public schools. Lemon Grove is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Lemon Grove is a Lemon Grove school (7 of 7).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.9 to 8.0 — the spread is inside Lemon Grove, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Lemon Grove, California
Lemon Grove, California is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Lemon Grove 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 Lemon Grove is Monterey Heights Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lemon Grove is served by 1 school district: Lemon Grove. These districts collectively serve 3,122 students.
Lemon Grove's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,381. The poverty rate in the area is 10.3%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 371 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 353 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 442 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.4 | ||
| 4 | 125 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | 7.2 | ||
| 5 | 421 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.7 | ||
| 6 | 353 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St John of the Cross SchoolPrivate 99 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 522 students · 7th–8th | 5.9 |
Schools in Lemon Grove
Lemon Grove, California · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,381
Median Home Value
$640,500
Median Rent
$1,769/mo
Population
27,531
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Community Profile
Lemon Grove has a median household income of $79,381. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $640,500, with a median rent of $1,769/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Lemon Grove, California
How many schools are in Lemon Grove, California?
Lemon Grove has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lemon Grove, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lemon Grove is 7.0 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 Lemon Grove, California?
The top-ranked school in Lemon Grove on MySchoolScout is Monterey Heights Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lemon Grove, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lemon Grove on MySchoolScout is Monterey Heights Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Lemon Grove, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Lemon Grove on MySchoolScout is Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Lemon Grove, California?
Lemon Grove is served by 1 school district: Lemon Grove.
What is the education level in Lemon Grove, California?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Lemon Grove have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lemon Grove, California?
The median household income in Lemon Grove is approximately $79,381 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lemon Grove, California?
Yes, Lemon Grove has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lemon Grove, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lemon Grove is 20.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lemon Grove, 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.