Very Good
#3388 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 36% in state
Garfield High
High School · San Diego Unified
1255 16th St., San Diego, CA 92101
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#125 of 288
public schools
California high schools
#636 of 1,892
In district
#84 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Garfield High
Garfield High is an alternative high school located in the heart of San Diego, California. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, Garfield High has a total enrollment of 220 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s setting within a bustling city offers unique opportunities for real-world engagement and community involvement.
Garfield High focuses on providing an inclusive and supportive environment tailored to the needs of its diverse student body. While academic performance scores are currently lower compared to other schools in California, Garfield High is committed to fostering a nurturing atmosphere that encourages growth and development among its students. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 reflects areas with room for improvement but also highlights the dedication of educators who work closely with each student.
Garfield High is situated in an urban setting, offering access to city resources, cultural events, and diverse community interactions that can enrich students' educational experiences beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Garfield High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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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 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Garfield High Compares
See how Garfield High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 2.5% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 18.75% (2024).
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. King-Chavez Community High (rated 8.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Village Middle College High (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, San Diego Virtual (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 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 | 8.6 |
| San Diego High San Diego | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Urban Discovery Academy Charter San Diego | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Sherman Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| City Tree Christian San Diego | 0.8 mi | — |
| King-Chavez Community High San Diego | 0.8 mi | 8.8 |
| CITY TREE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Monarch San Diego | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Perkins K-8 San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Washington Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Albert Einstein Academies San Diego | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Museum San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Kimbrough Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| San Diego Virtual San Diego | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| King-Chavez Preparatory Academy San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| McGill School of Success San Diego | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Garfield High has a median household income of $90,477. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $740,500, with a median rent of $2,351/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspen Ridge Public Fresno, CA | 7.0 |
| Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center San Pedro, CA | 7.0 |
| MID-PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL Menlo Park, CA | 7.0 |
| NOTRE DAME ACADEMY GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 7.0 |
| New Millennium Secondary Gardena, CA | 7.0 |
| Vista Continuation High Bakersfield, CA | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #3388 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Garfield High's MySchoolScout rating?
Garfield High has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Garfield High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garfield High has 0.8% math proficiency and 13.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 362-4500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #84 of 174
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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