Excellent
#1273 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 13% in state
Mar Vista Senior High
High School · Sweetwater Union High
505 Elm Ave., Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Enrollment
1,266
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,266
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Imperial Beach
#1 of 6
public schools
California high schools
#211 of 1,892
In district
#1 of 28
Sweetwater Union High
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mar Vista Senior High
Mar Vista Senior High is a public high school in Imperial Beach, CA, part of the Sweetwater Union High. The school serves approximately 1,266 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 86.7th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 17% proficiency in math, 15 points below the state average and 51% in reading/language arts, 1 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $79,071, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Senior High is 22.6:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Mar Vista Senior High — Students at Mar Vista Senior High score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Mar Vista Senior High Compares
See how Mar Vista Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 15.44% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 58.61% (2024).
Location
505 Elm Ave., Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mar Vista Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southwest Senior High (rated 7.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a comparable rating. Another option is Sunnyslope Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oneonta Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Imperial Beach, see our Imperial Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial Beach Charter Imperial Beach | 0.1 mi | 3.7 |
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Imperial Beach | 0.4 mi | — |
| San Diego County Special Education Imperial Beach | 0.6 mi | — |
| Oneonta Elementary Imperial Beach | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Bayside STEAM Academy Imperial Beach | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| SBUSD Virtual Academy Imperial Beach | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Central Elementary Imperial Beach | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Mar Vista Academy San Diego | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| St. Charles Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | — |
| ST CHARLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Diego | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Emory Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Refugio de Amor Academy San Diego | 1.9 mi | — |
| Teofilo Mendoza San Diego | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Godfrey G. Berry Elementary San Diego | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Nestor Language Academy Charter San Diego | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Southwest Senior High San Diego | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Sunnyslope Elementary San Diego | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Harborside Elementary Chula Vista | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Accelerated Academics San Diego | 2.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91932 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,071
Median Home Value
$811,000
Median Rent
$1,914/mo
Population
25,897
College Educated
23.7%
Homeownership
30.7%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mar Vista Senior High has a median household income of $79,071. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $811,000, with a median rent of $1,914/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Classical Academy High Escondido, CA | 8.1 |
| Delano High Delano, CA | 8.1 |
| Esperanza High Placentia, CA | 8.1 |
| Liberty Ranch High Galt, CA | 8.1 |
| Rancho Campana High Camarillo, CA | 8.1 |
| Whitney (Gretchen) High Cerritos, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mar Vista Senior High
What grades does Mar Vista Senior High serve?
Mar Vista Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mar Vista Senior High?
Mar Vista Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,266 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Senior High is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mar Vista Senior High rank in CA?
Mar Vista Senior High is ranked #1273 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Mar Vista Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Mar Vista Senior High has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Mar Vista Senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mar Vista Senior High has 16.7% math proficiency and 50.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mar Vista Senior High a charter school?
No, Mar Vista Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mar Vista Senior High a Title I school?
No, Mar Vista Senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mar Vista Senior High?
78.4% of students at Mar Vista 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 75 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 43 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 71 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,180/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Imperial Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,266
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 628-5700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sweetwater Union High- District Enrollment
- 35,226
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,647
- District Rank
- #1 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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