Excellent
#714 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 8% in state
Downtown College Preparatory
High School · Downtown College Preparatory District
1402 Monterey Hwy., San Jose, CA 95110
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Jose
#9 of 223
public schools
California high schools
#114 of 1,892
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Downtown College Preparatory
Downtown College Preparatory is a public high school in San Jose, CA, part of the Downtown College Preparatory District. The school serves approximately 459 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 92.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 10% proficiency in math, 22 points below the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 5 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $132,800, where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
Downtown College Preparatory is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Downtown College Preparatory — Students at Downtown College Preparatory score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Downtown College Preparatory Compares
See how Downtown College Preparatory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 14.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 55.65% (2024).
Location
1402 Monterey Hwy., San Jose, CA 95110
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Downtown College Preparatory may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Yerba Buena High (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Luis Valdez Leadership Academy (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown College Preparatory Middle San Jose | 0.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Rocketship Alma Academy Redwood City | 0.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Washington Elementary San Jose | 0.6 mi | 3.3 |
| SACRED HEART NATIVTY SCHOOLS San Jose | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Sacred Heart Nativity School San Jose | 0.7 mi | — |
| Lowell Elementary San Jose | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary Redwood City | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Notre Dame High School San Jose San Jose | 1.0 mi | — |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL San Jose | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary San Jose | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Rocketship Mosaic Elementary Redwood City | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Selma Olinder Elementary San Jose | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Gardner Elementary San Jose | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory San Jose | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Yerba Buena High San Jose | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Robert F. Kennedy Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Shirakawa (George Sr.) Elementary San Jose | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| McKinley Elementary San Jose | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Luis Valdez Leadership Academy San Jose | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95110 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$132,800
Median Home Value
$947,900
Median Rent
$2,629/mo
Population
19,444
College Educated
39.6%
Homeownership
40.2%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
34.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Downtown College Preparatory has a median household income of $132,800. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $947,900, with a median rent of $2,629/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Nordhoff High Ojai, CA | 8.4 |
| Animo South Los Angeles Charter Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Animo Venice Charter High Los Angeles, CA | 8.3 |
| Camino Nuevo High #2 Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Environmental Charter High - Lawndale Lawndale, CA | 8.5 |
| Gateway High San Francisco, CA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Downtown College Preparatory
What grades does Downtown College Preparatory serve?
Downtown College Preparatory serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Downtown College Preparatory?
Downtown College Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Downtown College Preparatory?
The student-teacher ratio at Downtown College Preparatory is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Downtown College Preparatory rank in CA?
Downtown College Preparatory is ranked #714 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Downtown College Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?
Downtown College Preparatory has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Downtown College Preparatory?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downtown College Preparatory has 9.8% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Downtown College Preparatory a charter school?
Yes, Downtown College Preparatory is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Downtown College Preparatory a Title I school?
No, Downtown College Preparatory is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downtown College Preparatory?
81.3% of students at Downtown College Preparatory qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 87 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 54 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 79 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,210/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Jose). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 459
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 271-8120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Downtown College Preparatory District- District Enrollment
- 459
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,230
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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