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Very Good

#3198 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 34% in state

Hilltop Senior High

High School · Sweetwater Union High

555 Claire Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910

Enrollment

1,841

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chula Vista

#17 of 62

public schools

California high schools

#593 of 1,892

In district

#9 of 28

Sweetwater Union High

Academic performance

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Hilltop Senior High

Hilltop Senior High serves 1,841 students in grades 9-12 in Chula Vista, a vibrant community in San Diego County. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23:1, providing a substantial high school experience in Southern California. The school ranks in the 64th percentile statewide, placing #3,472 out of 9,566 California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10.

Students demonstrate solid performance in English Language Arts, with 64% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 24% of students meeting proficiency standards. Hilltop Senior High draws from a diverse neighborhood where families have a median household income of $84,111 and median home values reach $621,200.

The surrounding ZIP code 91910 is home to over 76,000 residents, with 27% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 11% poverty rate, reflecting a mixed-income community with varying educational backgrounds. As a regular public high school in this large city setting, Hilltop Senior High provides comprehensive secondary education to students from across the Chula Vista area, serving families who value both academic achievement and the rich cultural diversity that defines this corner of San Diego County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Senior High is 23:1, 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.2%
Math vs. State Avg-4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness9.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation30.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,066

Hilltop Senior High — Students at Hilltop Senior High score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 63.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
35%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
24%
ELA
64.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

How Hilltop Senior High Compares

See how Hilltop Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

Location

555 Claire Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hilltop Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chula Vista Senior High (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Altus Schools South Bay (rated 3.4/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chula Vista, see our Chula Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hilltop Middle Chula Vista 0.4 mi 5.1
MONTESSORI EXPLORER ELEMENTARY Chula Vista 0.4 mi
Hilltop Drive Elementary Chula Vista 0.5 mi 6.2
Cook (Hazel Goes) Elementary Chula Vista 0.8 mi 5.2
Altus Schools South Bay Chula Vista 0.9 mi 3.4
Halecrest Elementary Chula Vista 0.8 mi 8.7
BONITA LEARNING ACADEMY Chula Vista 1.0 mi
Clear View Chula Vista 1.0 mi 6.9
MONTESSORI AMERICAN SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.2 mi 7.0
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.1 mi 4.9
Rosebank Elementary Chula Vista 1.2 mi 5.3
Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter Chula Vista 1.2 mi 4.6
Kellogg (Karl H.) Elementary Chula Vista 1.3 mi 7.0
ST PIUS X SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.5 mi 5.9
Castle Park Elementary Chula Vista 1.6 mi 6.5
Rice (Lilian J.) Elementary Chula Vista 1.6 mi 4.6
Chula Vista Senior High Chula Vista 1.6 mi 7.3
Valley Vista Elementary Bonita 1.7 mi 6.3
Rogers (Greg) Elementary Chula Vista 1.7 mi 6.2
Chula Vista Middle Chula Vista 1.6 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,705

Median Home Value

$676,700

Median Rent

$1,930/mo

Population

77,957

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

50.6%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hilltop Senior High has a median household income of $87,705. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $676,700, with a median rent of $1,930/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Adolfo Camarillo High Camarillo, CA 7.1
Castle Park Senior High Chula Vista, CA 7.1
Charter Oak High Covina, CA 7.1
Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs, CA 7.1
Diamond Ranch High Pomona, CA 7.1
Don Antonio Lugo High Chino, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hilltop Senior High

What grades does Hilltop Senior High serve?

Hilltop Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hilltop Senior High?

Hilltop Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,841 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Hilltop Senior High is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hilltop Senior High rank in CA?

Hilltop Senior High is ranked #3198 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Hilltop Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilltop Senior High has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Hilltop Senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hilltop Senior High has 28.0% math proficiency and 63.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hilltop Senior High a charter school?

No, Hilltop Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hilltop Senior High a Title I school?

No, Hilltop Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hilltop Senior High?

76.9% of students at Hilltop Senior 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,521/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chula Vista). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,841
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sweetwater Union High
District Enrollment
35,226
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,647
District Rank
#9 of 28

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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