Best Schools in San Diego, California
412 schools · 237 Elementary · 44 Middle · 101 High · 30 Other
Choosing a school in San Diego?
Use this page to compare every school in San Diego 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.
Pacific Beach Middle
Middle · San Diego Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Solana Ranch Elementary
Elementary · Solana Beach Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Carmel Del Mar Elementary
Elementary · Del Mar Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Diego for 2026 are Pacific Beach Middle (9.4/10), Solana Ranch Elementary (9.4/10), and Carmel Del Mar Elementary (9.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
412
290 public · 122 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$875,119
home value · ACS
Districts
69
serving the city
Schools
412
290 public · 122 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$875,119
home value · ACS
Districts
69
serving the city
Rates 9.2/10 despite 70% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.9 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 San Diego schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +29.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Diego schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Diego
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 412). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Beach Middle | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Solana Ranch Elementary | 9.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Carmel Del Mar Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Ocean Air | 9.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Barnard Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Holmes Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Ocean Beach Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Rolando Park Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Mt. Everest Academy | 9.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Nye Elementary | 9.1 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $110,412
- Median home value
- $875,119
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 51%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
49% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Diego compares
California rank
#226 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$110k
111% of California median
Schools in this city
344
Education Snapshot
San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego's 412 schools span 69 districts and enroll roughly 181,526 students. The level mix skews toward elementary — 237 of the 412 schools sit at that level — with 101 high schools, 44 middle schools, and 30 combined or alternative campuses filling out the rest. The city's average MySchoolScout composite rating of 6.7/10 across 344 scored schools clears California's state average of 6.3/10. Sixty-one charter schools give families options beyond default district boundaries. Economically, San Diego outpaces the state: a median household income of $115,340 runs 10% higher than California's state median of $105,206, and 50% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. On both academic performance and household economics, San Diego tracks above California's state averages, making it a strong comparison point for families evaluating the state's major cities.
About Schools in San Diego, California
San Diego's public school system is one of the larger urban landscapes parents will navigate in California, with 288 ranked public schools spanning elementary through high school. The city-wide average sits at 6.5 out of 10, which puts performance solidly in the middle tier — but that average obscures meaningful variation. Forty-four percent of San Diego's ranked schools, 128 in total, score 7 or above, meaning parents willing to research neighborhoods and enrollment options have a strong field to work with.
At the top of that field, Sequoia Elementary leads the city with a 9.4 out of 10, the highest score among all ranked public schools here. Pacific Beach Middle follows at 9.2, making it one of the strongest middle school options in the region. On the elementary side, Sage Canyon rounds out the upper tier at 9.0. For families planning ahead to high school, Mission Bay High scores 8.9 and King-Chavez Community High scores 8.8 — both well above the city average and worth a close look during the search process.
The practical implication for parents is that school quality in San Diego tracks closely with neighborhood, but not exclusively. The presence of strong performers like King-Chavez Community High signals that high-scoring options exist outside the most affluent zip codes. Parents should look beyond their immediate address and check whether open enrollment, magnet programs, or charter options expand access to higher-rated schools.
The spread between the city's top schools and the average also matters for planning. A 9.4 at Sequoia Elementary against a city mean of 6.5 represents nearly three full rating points of difference — a gap that's meaningful when thinking about academic environment and resources. Parents comparing schools across San Diego should use ratings as a starting filter, then dig into specific metrics like test scores, student-to-teacher ratios, and enrollment timelines. With 44% of schools scoring 7 or higher, San Diego offers real options — but identifying them requires active research rather than defaulting to the nearest school.
Elementary Schools
237 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 512 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.4 |
| 2 | 583 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.3 |
| 3 | 363 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.3 |
| 4 | 493 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.2 |
| 5 | 471 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.2 |
| 6 | 503 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.2 |
| 7 | 406 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.2 |
| 8 | 279 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 9 | 375 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 |
| 10 | 324 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.1 |
Show all 237 elementary schools in San Diego
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
44 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 631 students · 6th–8th | 9.4 |
| 2 | 422 students · 4th–6th | 9.0 |
| 3 | 1,359 students · 6th–8th | 8.8 |
| 4 | 659 students · 6th–8th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 674 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 6 | 838 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 7 | 332 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
| 8 | 1,485 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
| 9 | 446 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
| 10 | 963 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
Show all 44 middle schools in San Diego
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
101 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 408 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 124 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 3 | 1,166 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 4 | 1,920 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
| 5 | 1,505 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 |
| 6 | 296 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 |
| 7 | 401 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 |
| 8 | 642 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 9 | 2,564 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 10 | 341 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
Show all 101 high schools in San Diego
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
30 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 205 students · Kindergarten–12th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 1,819 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.0 |
| 3 | 402 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 |
| 4 | 164 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 |
| 5 | 314 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 |
| 6 | 224 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 |
| 7 | 467 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.6 |
| 8 | 234 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 |
| 9 | 277 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 |
| 10 | 453 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.4 |
Show all 30 other schools in San Diego
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in San Diego
San Diego, California · 412 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 32 ZIP codes
Median Income
$110,412
Median Home Value
$875,119
Median Rent
$2,329/mo
Population
1,395,364
College Educated
51%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Community Profile
San Diego has a median household income of $110,412. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $875,119, with a median rent of $2,329/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 237
- Middle
- 44
- High
- 101
- Other
- 30
Resources
School Districts (69)
America's Finest Charter District
1 school · 453 students
San Diego Global Vision Academy District
1 school · 432 students
Elevate District
1 school · 476 students
High Tech High Media Arts District
1 school · 384 students
Altus Schools Audeo District
1 school · 402 students
Iftin Charter District
1 school · 468 students
Ingenuity Charter District
1 school · 195 students
Keiller Leadership Academy District
1 school · 605 students
Urban Discovery Academy Charter District
1 school · 314 students
KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy District
1 school · 321 students
King-Chavez Academy of Excellence District
1 school · 245 students
High Tech Middle North County District
1 school · 332 students
Innovations Academy District
1 school · 434 students
Kavod Charter District
1 school · 399 students
King-Chavez Preparatory Academy District
1 school · 236 students
City Heights Preparatory Charter District
1 school · 158 students
Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences District
1 school · 251 students
High Tech High District
1 school · 487 students
High Tech Elementary Explorer District
1 school · 365 students
Gompers Preparatory Academy District
1 school · 1,229 students
High Tech Middle Chula Vista District
1 school · 335 students
High Tech Middle District
1 school · 334 students
San Diego Cooperative Charter District
1 school · 459 students
Harriet Tubman Village Charter District
1 school · 445 students
High Tech High North County District
1 school · 401 students
Mirus Secondary District
1 school · 290 students
Audeo Charter II District
1 school · 237 students
Altus Schools Charter School of San Diego District
1 school · 1,443 students
High Tech Middle Media Arts District
1 school · 340 students
High Tech High International District
1 school · 386 students
San Diego Virtual District
1 school · 408 students
Albert Einstein Academies District
1 school · 1,438 students
Ballington Acad for the Arts and Scis - San Bernardino DIST
1 school · 168 students
Altus Schools East County District
1 school · 260 students
Old Town Academy K-8 Charter District
1 school · 211 students
King-Chavez Primary Academy District
1 school · 358 students
High Tech Elementary Mesa District
1 school · 444 students
High Tech High Chula Vista District
1 school · 642 students
Diego Hills Central Public Charter District
1 school · 301 students
High Tech Elementary Chula Vista District
1 school · 446 students
Museum District
1 school · 214 students
School for Entrepreneurship and Technology District
1 school · 240 students
The O'Farrell Charter District
1 school · 1,819 students
King-Chavez Community High District
1 school · 246 students
High Tech Middle Mesa District
1 school · 338 students
Audeo Charter School III District
1 school · 138 students
McGill School of Success District
1 school · 123 students
King-Chavez Arts and Athletics Academy District
1 school · 158 students
San Diego Mission Academy District
1 school · 182 students
Holly Drive Leadership Academy District
1 school · 103 students
High Tech High Mesa District
1 school · 431 students
e3 Civic High District
1 school · 373 students
Darnall Charter District
1 school · 442 students
Health Sciences High and Middle College District
1 school · 528 students
Empower Language Academy District
1 school · 147 students
Magnolia Science Academy San Diego District
1 school · 439 students
High Tech Elementary District
1 school · 423 students
High Tech Elementary North County District
1 school · 445 students
Audeo Valley Charter District
1 school · 241 students
Chula Vista Elementary
43 schools · 22,285 students
Del Mar Union Elementary
9 schools · 3,662 students
Poway Unified
39 schools · 34,935 students
San Diego Unified
175 schools · 95,492 students
San Ysidro Elementary
7 schools · 4,205 students
Solana Beach Elementary
7 schools · 2,730 students
South Bay Union
13 schools · 5,595 students
Sweetwater Union High
29 schools · 35,226 students
San Diego County Office of Education
8 schools · 1,064 students
Mono County Office of Education
5 schools · 223 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
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 San Diego, California
How many schools are in San Diego, California?
San Diego has 412 schools, including 290 public and 122 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Diego, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Diego is 6.7 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 San Diego, California?
The top-ranked school in San Diego on MySchoolScout is Pacific Beach Middle with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Diego, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Diego on MySchoolScout is Solana Ranch Elementary with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best middle school in San Diego, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Diego on MySchoolScout is Pacific Beach Middle with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best high school in San Diego, California?
The top-ranked high school in San Diego on MySchoolScout is San Diego Virtual with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve San Diego, California?
San Diego is served by 69 school districts: America's Finest Charter District, San Diego Global Vision Academy District, Elevate District, High Tech High Media Arts District, Altus Schools Audeo District, Iftin Charter District, Ingenuity Charter District, Keiller Leadership Academy District, Urban Discovery Academy Charter District, Kipp Adelante Preparatory Academy District, King-chavez Academy of Excellence District, High Tech Middle North County District, Innovations Academy District, Kavod Charter District, King-chavez Preparatory Academy District, City Heights Preparatory Charter District, Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences District, High Tech High District, High Tech Elementary Explorer District, Gompers Preparatory Academy District, High Tech Middle Chula Vista District, High Tech Middle District, San Diego Cooperative Charter District, Harriet Tubman Village Charter District, High Tech High North County District, Mirus Secondary District, Audeo Charter II District, Altus Schools Charter School of San Diego District, High Tech Middle Media Arts District, High Tech High International District, San Diego Virtual District, Albert Einstein Academies District, Ballington Acad for the Arts and Scis - San Bernardino Dist, Altus Schools East County District, Old Town Academy K-8 Charter District, King-chavez Primary Academy District, High Tech Elementary Mesa District, High Tech High Chula Vista District, Diego Hills Central Public Charter District, High Tech Elementary Chula Vista District, Museum District, School for Entrepreneurship and Technology District, The O'farrell Charter District, King-chavez Community High District, High Tech Middle Mesa District, Audeo Charter School III District, Mcgill School of Success District, King-chavez Arts and Athletics Academy District, San Diego Mission Academy District, Holly Drive Leadership Academy District, High Tech High Mesa District, E3 Civic High District, Darnall Charter District, Health Sciences High and Middle College District, Empower Language Academy District, Magnolia Science Academy San Diego District, High Tech Elementary District, High Tech Elementary North County District, Audeo Valley Charter District, Chula Vista Elementary, Del Mar Union Elementary, Poway Unified, San Diego Unified, San Ysidro Elementary, Solana Beach Elementary, South Bay Union, Sweetwater Union High, San Diego County Office of Education, Mono County Office of Education.
What is the education level in San Diego, California?
According to Census data, 51% of adults in San Diego have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Diego, California?
The median household income in San Diego is approximately $110,412 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Diego, California?
Yes, San Diego has 122 private schools alongside 290 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mission Bay Montessori Academy with a score of 8.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Diego, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Diego is 18.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Diego, 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 Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- 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.