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
Enrollment
2,564
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
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 metricsView breakdown
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Del Norte High — Students at Del Norte High score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
10.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 76.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 83.22% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (858) 487-0877
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #7 of 38
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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