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Below Average

#8082 of 9,539 schools in CA

EL Cajon Valley High

High School · Grossmont Union High

1035 East Madison Ave., EL Cajon, CA 92021

Enrollment

1,672

Student-Teacher

111.5:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,082 of 9,539

In EL Cajon

#21 of 38

public schools

In district

#13 of 14

Grossmont Union High

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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EL Cajon Valley High

4.4/10

High School in EL Cajon · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Naranca Elementary

2.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Empower

Nearby

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About EL Cajon Valley High

EL Cajon Valley High is a public high school in EL Cajon, CA, part of Grossmont Union High. EL Cajon Valley High serves approximately 1,672 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 111.5:1 student-teacher ratio. EL Cajon Valley High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #8,082 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for EL Cajon Valley High show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

EL Cajon Valley High runs 111.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

38% of students at EL Cajon Valley High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.9 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness3.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate63%
AP Participation11.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio111.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,399
Chronic Absenteeism38.1%

EL Cajon Valley High — Students at EL Cajon Valley High score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 34.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
34%
ELA
29%
2010
Math
34%
ELA
33%
2011
Math
41%
ELA
31%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
11%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
11.7%
ELA
30%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How EL Cajon Valley High Compares

See how EL Cajon Valley High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in CA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
3
1 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
112:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
11.6% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
1 boys'·2 girls'·23 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1035 East Madison Ave., EL Cajon, CA 92021

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering EL Cajon Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elite Academy (rated 5.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Altus Schools East County (rated 4.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a very similar rating. For more schools in EL Cajon, see our EL Cajon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Naranca Elementary El Cajon 0.4 mi 2.6
Empower El Cajon 0.4 mi
Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon 0.5 mi 5.2
Lexington Elementary El Cajon 0.7 mi 3.7
HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon 0.7 mi 6.0
Diego Valley East Public Charter El Cajon 0.7 mi 3.9
Literacy First Charter El Cajon 0.9 mi 5.6
Elite Academy El Cajon 0.8 mi 5.1
REACH Academy La Mesa 0.8 mi
Kidinnu Academy El Cajon 1.0 mi 8.7
Magnolia Elementary El Cajon 1.1 mi 2.0
Altus Schools East County San Diego 1.0 mi 4.6
Anza Elementary El Cajon 1.2 mi 3.4
CHASE RANCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL El Cajon 1.3 mi
Bostonia Global El Cajon 1.2 mi 2.8
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN El Cajon 1.2 mi
Johnson Elementary El Cajon 1.2 mi 5.0
Greenfield Middle El Cajon 1.3 mi 4.1
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - WEST CAMPUS El Cajon 1.3 mi 4.2
Chase Avenue Elementary El Cajon 1.6 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,979

Median Home Value

$572,000

Median Rent

$1,818/mo

Population

69,306

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

52.7%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

36

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grace M. Davis High Modesto, CA 4.4
Jesse M. Bethel High Vallejo, CA 4.4
Mission High San Francisco, CA 4.4
CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Diego, CA 4.5
Crescent View West Public Charter Fresno, CA 4.5
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano, CA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about EL Cajon Valley High

What grades does EL Cajon Valley High serve?

EL Cajon Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend EL Cajon Valley High?

EL Cajon Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 1,672 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Cajon Valley High?

The student-teacher ratio at EL Cajon Valley High is 111.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does EL Cajon Valley High rank in CA?

EL Cajon Valley High ranks #8,082 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is EL Cajon Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

EL Cajon Valley High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at EL Cajon Valley High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, EL Cajon Valley High has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is EL Cajon Valley High a charter school?

No, EL Cajon Valley High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is EL Cajon Valley High a Title I school?

No, EL Cajon Valley High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Cajon Valley High?

93.1% of students at EL Cajon Valley 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
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,672
Student-Teacher Ratio
111.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.1%
4-Year Graduation
63.0%

District

Grossmont Union High
District Enrollment
16,566
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,399
District Rank
#13 of 14

How we rate schools

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