Best Schools in San Ysidro, California
8 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle
Choosing a school in San Ysidro?
Use this page to compare every school in San Ysidro 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.
Sunset Elementary
Elementary · San Ysidro Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Vista Del Mar
Middle · San Ysidro Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
George Nicoloff Elementary
Elementary · South Bay Union. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in San Ysidro for 2026 are Sunset Elementary (7.6/10), Vista Del Mar (6.5/10), and George Nicoloff Elementary (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$521,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$521,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among San Ysidro schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in San Ysidro
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunset Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Vista Del Mar | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | George Nicoloff Elementary | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Smythe Elementary | 5.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Willow Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 6 | San Ysidro Middle | 4.7 / 10 |
| 7 | La Mirada Elementary | 4.3 / 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
- $65,865
- Median home value
- $521,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 35%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How San Ysidro compares
California rank
#544 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$66k
66% of California median
Schools in this city
8
San Ysidro Elementary runs 86% of San Ysidro's public schools
San Ysidro touches 2 districts, but San Ysidro Elementary is the one most addresses actually attend.
San Ysidro Elementary accounts for 6 of 7 public schools (86%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.3 to 7.6 — the spread is inside San Ysidro, not a citywide average.
- San Ysidro Elementary6 public · 86%
- South Bay Union1 public · 14%
About Schools in San Ysidro, California
San Ysidro, California is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in San Ysidro show moderate performance 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 San Ysidro is Sunset Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
San Ysidro is served by 2 school districts: San Ysidro Elementary, South Bay Union. These districts collectively serve 9,800 students.
San Ysidro's community shows 11% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $65,865. The poverty rate in the area is 13.6%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 522 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 606 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.1 | ||
| 3 | 561 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.1 | ||
| 4 | 686 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 | ||
| 5 | 368 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.3 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Our Lady of Mt. CarmelPrivate 284 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 531 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 548 students · 7th–8th | 4.7 |
Schools in San Ysidro
San Ysidro, California · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$65,865
Median Home Value
$521,800
Median Rent
$1,588/mo
Population
26,507
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
35%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Community Profile
San Ysidro has a median household income of $65,865. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $521,800, with a median rent of $1,588/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
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 San Ysidro, California
How many schools are in San Ysidro, California?
San Ysidro has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in San Ysidro, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in San Ysidro 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 San Ysidro, California?
The top-ranked school in San Ysidro on MySchoolScout is Sunset Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in San Ysidro, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in San Ysidro on MySchoolScout is Sunset Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in San Ysidro, California?
The top-ranked middle school in San Ysidro on MySchoolScout is Vista Del Mar with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve San Ysidro, California?
San Ysidro is served by 2 school districts: San Ysidro Elementary, South Bay Union.
What is the education level in San Ysidro, California?
According to Census data, 11% of adults in San Ysidro have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in San Ysidro, California?
The median household income in San Ysidro is approximately $65,865 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in San Ysidro, California?
Yes, San Ysidro has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with a score of 4.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Ysidro, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in San Ysidro is 21.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in San Ysidro, 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.