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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

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

7.0/10

Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dot to Dot

Nearby

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

Rancho Bernardo High

7.2/10

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).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • 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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+19.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,231
Chronic Absenteeism17.2%

Highland Ranch Elementary — Students at Highland Ranch Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

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 66.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 69.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 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
79%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
64%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
64%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
64.4%
ELA
70.6%
2024
Math
64.3%
ELA
64.6%

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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.2%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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%

District

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

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