Below Average
#7696 of 9,539 schools in CA
Idea Center
High School · Grossmont Union High
1600 North Cuyamaca St., EL Cajon, CA 92020
Enrollment
138
Student-Teacher
69:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
138
Student-Teacher
69:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,696 of 9,539
In EL Cajon
#19 of 38
public schools
In district
#12 of 14
Grossmont Union High
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Idea Center?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Idea Center
High School in EL Cajon · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chaparral High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Merit Academy
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Idea Center
Idea Center is a public high school in EL Cajon, CA, part of Grossmont Union High. Idea Center serves approximately 138 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 69:1 student-teacher ratio. Idea Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,696 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Idea Center show 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 5.5
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 138 students, Idea Center is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Idea Center sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Idea Center runs 69:1 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Idea Center — Students at Idea Center score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.3/10.
How Idea Center Compares
See how Idea Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1600 North Cuyamaca St., EL Cajon, CA 92020
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Idea Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Grossmont Middle College High (rated 9.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chaparral High (rated 6.6/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Cajon, see our EL Cajon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chaparral High El Cajon | 0.0 mi | 6.6 |
| MERIT Academy La Mesa | 0.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Flying Hills School of Arts El Cajon | 0.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Johnson Elementary El Cajon | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Altus Schools East County San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue Santee | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Fletcher Hills Elementary La Mesa | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL El Cajon | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Grossmont Middle College High El Cajon | 1.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Magnolia Elementary El Cajon | 1.5 mi | 2.0 |
| OUR LADY OF GRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Pepper Drive Elementary El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Northmont Elementary La Mesa | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Mesa | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran La Mesa | 2.0 mi | — |
| Carlton Hills Elementary Santee | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Rio Seco Elementary Santee | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| EJE Elementary Academy Charter El Cajon | 2.3 mi | 3.1 |
| EJE Middle Academy El Cajon | 2.3 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,822
Median Home Value
$741,600
Median Rent
$1,793/mo
Population
58,490
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
43.1%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
36.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Audeo Charter School III San Diego, CA | 4.7 |
| Broadway High San Jose, CA | 4.7 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz, CA | 4.7 |
| San Jose Conservation Corps Charter San Jose, CA | 4.7 |
| John Finney High (Continuation) Vallejo, CA | 4.8 |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest, CA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idea Center
What grades does Idea Center serve?
Idea Center serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Idea Center?
Idea Center has an enrollment of approximately 138 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Idea Center is 69:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Idea Center rank in CA?
Idea Center ranks #7,696 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Idea Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Idea Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Idea Center has 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024).
Is Idea Center a charter school?
No, Idea Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Idea Center a Title I school?
No, Idea Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Center?
72.5% of students at Idea Center 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 138
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 69:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.5%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 73.2%
- Phone
- (619) 956-4332
- 4-Year Graduation
- 62.0%
Resources & Links
District
Grossmont Union High- District Enrollment
- 16,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,399
- District Rank
- #12 of 14
Other Schools in This District
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