Below Average
#8004 of 9,539 schools in CA
Garfield High
High School · San Diego Unified
1255 16th St., San Diego, CA 92101
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,004 of 9,539
In San Diego
#251 of 288
public schools
In district
#156 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
7.3 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Garfield High?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Garfield High
High School in San Diego · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
East Village Middle College High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
San Diego High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Garfield High
Garfield High is a public high school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Garfield High serves approximately 220 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Garfield High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,004 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Garfield High show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 7.1
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
92% of students at Garfield 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Garfield High — Students at Garfield High score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.
How Garfield High Compares
See how Garfield High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1255 16th St., San Diego, CA 92101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garfield High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Village Middle College High (rated 9.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is San Diego Virtual (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, King-Chavez Community High (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East Village Middle College High San Diego | 0.2 mi | 9.0 |
| San Diego High San Diego | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Urban Discovery Academy Charter San Diego | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| OUR LADY'S SCHOOL San Diego | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Our Lady's School San Diego | 0.6 mi | — |
| VIA TALENTUM ACADEMY San Diego | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| e3 Civic High San Diego | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Sherman Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| City Tree Christian San Diego | 0.8 mi | — |
| King-Chavez Community High San Diego | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| CITY TREE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Monarch San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Perkins K-8 San Diego | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Washington Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Albert Einstein Academies San Diego | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Museum San Diego | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Kimbrough Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| San Diego Virtual San Diego | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| King-Chavez Preparatory Academy San Diego | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| McGill School of Success San Diego | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,477
Median Home Value
$740,500
Median Rent
$2,351/mo
Population
48,163
College Educated
57.3%
Homeownership
25.1%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
37
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Boron Junior-Senior High Boron, CA | 4.5 |
| CRISTO REY DE LA SALLE EAST BAY HIGH SCHOOL Oakland, CA | 4.5 |
| Joseph Pomeroy Widney CAR Prep and Transition CTR Los Angeles, CA | 4.5 |
| Options for Youth San Gabriel Covina, CA | 4.5 |
| Alfonso B. Perez Special Education Center Los Angeles, CA | 4.4 |
| Altus Schools East County San Diego, CA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garfield High
What grades does Garfield High serve?
Garfield High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Garfield High?
Garfield High has an enrollment of approximately 220 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garfield High?
The student-teacher ratio at Garfield High is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garfield High rank in CA?
Garfield High ranks #8,004 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Garfield High's MySchoolScout rating?
Garfield High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Garfield High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Garfield High has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Garfield High a charter school?
No, Garfield High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garfield High a Title I school?
No, Garfield High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garfield High?
94.5% of students at Garfield 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 220
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.5%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 92.3%
- Phone
- (619) 362-4500
- 4-Year Graduation
- 27.0%
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #156 of 174
Other Schools in This District
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 rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.