Below Average
#7696 of 9,539 schools in CA
Idea Center
High School · Grossmont Union High · EL Cajon, CA
A Grossmont Union High high school where students score 11 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1600 North Cuyamaca St., EL Cajon, CA 92020
- Math 11% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 34% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 62.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Idea Center score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency has held near 23% across the 10-year record (2015–2024).
Show all 8 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 8% (multi-year average, 2015-2024) · reading/ELA 41% (multi-year average, 2015-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
72.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Idea Center sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the San Diego map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 56Somewhat Walkable
- Transit 36Some Transit
- Bike 33Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,952/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (EL Cajon), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$72,822
Median home value
$741,600
Median rent
$1,793/mo
College educated
26%
Homeownership
43.1%
Poverty rate
16.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 92020; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaparral HighEnrollment path unverified | 6.6 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 76 | Compare → |
| Merit AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 3.6 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 64 | Compare → |
| Altus Schools East CountyCharter · enrollment unverified | 4.6 | 7–12 | 1.3 mi | 260 | Compare → |
| Grossmont Middle College HighEnrollment path unverified | 9.2 | 11–12 | 1.5 mi | 51 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Grossmont Union High
- Schools in district
- 15
- Rank in district
- #12 of 14
- District spending per student
- $18,399NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 13.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Idea Center is listed in Grossmont Union High; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Idea Center
Idea Center is a public high school in EL Cajon, CA, part of Grossmont Union High, serving approximately 138 students in grades 9th-12th with a 69:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,696 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 138
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 69:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- 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%
- Area population (ZIP 92020)
- 58,490
- Area average commute
- 24.6 min
- Area median age
- 36.3
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 92020; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2015-2024; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.