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Average

#4457 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 47% 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

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#156 of 288

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,786 of 5,817

In district

#25 of 38

Poway Unified

Equity

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland Ranch Elementary

Highland Ranch Elementary serves 661 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Diego's affluent 92128 ZIP code. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.5:1, providing a structured learning environment for its elementary students. Academically, Highland Ranch Elementary demonstrates strong performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking #1,804 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide.

The school's academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects solid achievement across core subjects, with 65% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 64% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. The school serves a highly educated and economically advantaged community where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $125,609. With a low poverty rate of just 4.7% and median home values around $788,200, the neighborhood provides a stable foundation for educational success.

Highland Ranch Elementary operates as a regular public school within San Diego's large urban setting, benefiting from both city resources and the strong community support characteristic of this well-established residential area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Ranch Elementary is 24.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.8%
Math vs. State Avg+19.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,249

Highland Ranch Elementary — Students at Highland Ranch Elementary score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 66.1%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
64%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
64.3%
ELA
64.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Highland Ranch Elementary Compares

See how Highland Ranch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Midland Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Poway), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Morning Creek Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 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 6.6
Abraxas Continuation High Poway 0.9 mi 6.0
Bernardo Heights Middle San Diego 1.0 mi 6.3
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 7.0
Meadowbrook Middle Poway 1.4 mi 5.6
Rolling Hills Elementary San Diego 1.3 mi 7.8
Turtleback Elementary San Diego 1.7 mi 6.3
Pomerado Elementary Poway 1.9 mi 5.4
Los Penasquitos Elementary San Diego 1.8 mi 6.9
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 7.4
Midland Elementary Poway 2.4 mi 7.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Ranch Elementary has a median household income of $128,150. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $875,400, with a median rent of $2,760/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Accelerated Los Angeles, CA 6.5
Arroyo Vista Elementary South Pasadena, CA 6.5
Audubon K-8 San Diego, CA 6.5
Aviation Elementary Hawthorne, CA 6.5
Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill, CA 6.5
Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale, CA 6.5

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 is ranked #4457 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Highland Ranch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Ranch Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Highland Ranch Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Ranch Elementary has 64.3% math proficiency and 66.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Poway Unified
District Enrollment
34,935
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,231
District Rank
#25 of 38

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 methodology

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