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Very Good

#2107 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

Del Norte High

High School · Poway Unified

16601 Nighthawk Ln., San Diego, CA 92127

Enrollment

2,564

Student-Teacher

25.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#67 of 288

public schools

California high schools

#361 of 1,892

In district

#7 of 38

Poway Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Del Norte High

Del Norte High serves 2,564 students in grades 9-12 in San Diego, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 92nd percentile statewide (#770 out of 9,566 California schools), the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across its student body. The school's impressive academic performance shows 83% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 77% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

With 102 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student population, Del Norte maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.1 to 1, typical for a large comprehensive high school. Students benefit from the school's location in an affluent, education-focused community where 75% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in ZIP code 92127 has a median household income of $166,804 and a low poverty rate of just 2.9%, reflecting the area's economic stability and emphasis on educational achievement.

Del Norte High is situated on Nighthawk Lane in San Diego's northern communities, providing students with a suburban school environment within one of California's largest cities.

What's said publicly about Del Norte High

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Del Norte High School is part of the Poway Unified School District, which operates 41 schools in northern San Diego County, California 1 . The school promotes an environment called 'Home Court Advantage' 1 . In the 2023-24 school year, Evan Krecek from Del Norte High School was named a PUSD Volunteer of the Year at the district level 1 . Additionally, two students, Aarav Arora and Jocelyn Zhang, were named Regeneron Scholars, recognizing them among the nation's top young scientists 1 . The school was also included in a list of 'Honor Roll' schools released by Educational Results Partnerships, which identifies top-performing schools and districts in California 1 . Unofficial and official transcripts are available at no charge from the registrar in the Administration building 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.powayusd.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Del Norte High is a large school with 2,564 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Del Norte High is 25.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.2%
Math vs. State Avg+48.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.3 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation52.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,249

Del Norte High — Students at Del Norte High score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 78.3%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 84.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
81%
ELA
86%
2024
Math
76.9%
ELA
83.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How Del Norte High Compares

See how Del Norte High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
102 teachers

Location

16601 Nighthawk Ln., San Diego, CA 92127

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Del Norte High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Design 39 Campus (rated 8.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Adobe Bluffs Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rolling Hills Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Design 39 Campus San Diego 0.2 mi 8.0
Stone Ranch Elementary San Diego 0.8 mi 6.8
Monterey Ridge Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 6.7
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Diego 1.1 mi 5.2
Amazing Grace Christian School San Diego 1.1 mi
Oak Valley Middle San Diego 1.2 mi 6.5
Del Sur Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 6.9
Praxis Elite Sports Academy San Diego 1.3 mi
Poway to Palomar Middle College High San Diego 1.9 mi
Turtleback Elementary San Diego 2.1 mi 6.3
Westwood Elementary San Diego 2.3 mi 6.7
Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego 2.4 mi 7.8
Willow Grove Elementary San Diego 2.8 mi 7.5
Adobe Bluffs Elementary San Diego 3.1 mi 8.0
Black Mountain Middle San Diego 3.2 mi 6.0
LifeBridge Academy San Diego 2.8 mi
Sunset Hills Elementary San Diego 3.2 mi 6.0
RENAISSANCE VILLAGE ACADEMY San Diego 3.3 mi
Lifetime Montessori School San Diego 2.9 mi
Mt. Carmel High San Diego 3.3 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92127 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$179,220

Median Home Value

$1,165,100

Median Rent

$2,642/mo

Population

50,711

College Educated

72.4%

Homeownership

72.4%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

3.4%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Del Norte High has a median household income of $179,220. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,165,100, with a median rent of $2,642/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brea Olinda High Brea, CA 7.6
Buchanan High Clovis, CA 7.6
Cypress High Cypress, CA 7.6
Eastlake High Chula Vista, CA 7.6
Foothill High Tustin, CA 7.6
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High Los Angeles, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Del Norte High

What grades does Del Norte High serve?

Del Norte High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Del Norte High?

Del Norte High has an enrollment of approximately 2,564 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Del Norte High?

The student-teacher ratio at Del Norte High is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Del Norte High rank in CA?

Del Norte High is ranked #2107 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Del Norte High's MySchoolScout rating?

Del Norte High has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Del Norte High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Del Norte High has 78.3% math proficiency and 84.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Del Norte High a charter school?

No, Del Norte High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Del Norte High a Title I school?

No, Del Norte High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Del Norte High?

10.5% of students at Del Norte High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,564
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
102
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Poway Unified
District Enrollment
34,935
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,231
District Rank
#7 of 38

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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