Very Good
#3549 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 37% in state
Highland Ranch Elementary
Elementary School · Poway Unified
14840 Waverley Downs Way, San Diego, CA 92128
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,549 of 9,539
In San Diego
#149 of 288
public schools
In district
#31 of 38
Poway Unified
Equity
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Highland Ranch Elementary
Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Dot to Dot
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rancho Bernardo High
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Ranch Elementary
Highland Ranch Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of Poway Unified. Highland Ranch Elementary serves approximately 661 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Ranch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,549 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Ranch Elementary show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 7.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Highland Ranch Elementary runs 24.5:1 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Ranch Elementary — Students at Highland Ranch Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 7.1/10.
How Highland Ranch Elementary Compares
See how Highland Ranch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
14840 Waverley Downs Way, San Diego, CA 92128
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Ranch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rolling Hills Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morning Creek Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shoal Creek Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DOT TO DOT San Diego | 0.6 mi | — |
| Rancho Bernardo High San Diego | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Abraxas Continuation High Poway | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Bernardo Heights Middle San Diego | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Poway | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Country Montessori School of Poway Poway | 1.2 mi | — |
| Shoal Creek Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Meadowbrook Middle Poway | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Turtleback Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Pomerado Elementary Poway | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Los Penasquitos Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| THE GROWING PLACE MONTESSORI Poway | 2.0 mi | — |
| The Koonings Center Poway | 2.4 mi | — |
| THE KOONINGS CENTER Poway | 2.4 mi | — |
| NEWBRIDGE SCHOOL Poway | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| NewBridge School Poway | 2.4 mi | — |
| CHILDRENS PRESCHOOL LEARNING CENTER Poway | 2.4 mi | — |
| Morning Creek Elementary San Diego | 2.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Midland Elementary Poway | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92128 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$128,150
Median Home Value
$875,400
Median Rent
$2,760/mo
Population
48,492
College Educated
64.3%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
44.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy of Technology & Leadership at Saticoy Ventura, CA | 7.0 |
| American Elementary Bakersfield, CA | 7.0 |
| Arcohe Elementary Herald, CA | 7.0 |
| Arlene Hein Elementary Elk Grove, CA | 7.0 |
| Arroyo Elementary Pomona, CA | 7.0 |
| Arroyo Verde Elementary Highland, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Ranch Elementary
What grades does Highland Ranch Elementary serve?
Highland Ranch Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Ranch Elementary?
Highland Ranch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 661 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Ranch Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Ranch Elementary is 24.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Ranch Elementary rank in CA?
Highland Ranch Elementary ranks #3,549 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Highland Ranch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Ranch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Highland Ranch Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Ranch Elementary has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Highland Ranch Elementary a charter school?
No, Highland Ranch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Ranch Elementary a Title I school?
No, Highland Ranch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Ranch Elementary?
18.2% of students at Highland Ranch Elementary 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 661
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.2%
- Phone
- (858) 674-4707
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #31 of 38
Other Schools in This District
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