Average
#6448 of 9,539 schools in CA
Mountain Empire High
High School · Mountain Empire Unified
3305 Buckman Springs Rd., Pine Valley, CA 91962
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,448 of 9,539
In Pine Valley
#3 of 4
public schools
In district
#3 of 7
Mountain Empire Unified
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Mountain Empire High
High School in Pine Valley · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mountain Empire Junior High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Campo Elementary
6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mountain Empire High
Mountain Empire High is a public high school in Pine Valley, CA, part of Mountain Empire Unified. Mountain Empire High serves approximately 422 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Mountain Empire High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #6,448 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Mountain Empire High show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Mountain Empire High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
60% of students at Mountain Empire High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Mountain Empire High — Students at Mountain Empire High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 6.4/10.
How Mountain Empire High Compares
See how Mountain Empire High 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
3305 Buckman Springs Rd., Pine Valley, CA 91962
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mountain Empire High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Julian High (rated 7.2/10, 24.5 miles away, in nearby Julian), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillside Junior/Senior High (rated 5.9/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pine Valley, see our Pine Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley | 0.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Campo Elementary Campo | 6.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley | 6.3 mi | — |
| Hillside Junior/Senior High Pine Valley | 6.3 mi | 5.9 |
| JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Risen K=12 Campo | 8.3 mi | — |
| Potrero Elementary Potrero | 11.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Descanso Elementary Descanso | 11.1 mi | 6.3 |
| HIGHLEVEL LLC San Diego | 12.5 mi | — |
| Clover Flat Elementary Boulevard | 12.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Tecate Christian Tecate | 13.4 mi | — |
| The Heights Charter Alpine | 16.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine | 17.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Boulder Oaks Elementary Alpine | 17.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Alpine Farm Academy Alpine | 18.0 mi | — |
| Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine | 20.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Shadow Hills Elementary Alpine | 20.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine | 20.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Los Coches Creek Middle El Cajon | 20.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Julian High Julian | 24.5 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91962 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,270
Median Home Value
$496,800
Median Rent
$2,222/mo
Population
2,457
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
92.6%
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
57.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Animo Compton Charter Los Angeles, CA | 5.5 |
| Downtown College Prep - Alum Rock San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| Ednovate - South LA College Prep Los Angeles, CA | 5.5 |
| Esparto High Esparto, CA | 5.5 |
| High Tech High International San Diego, CA | 5.5 |
| O'Connell (John) High San Francisco, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mountain Empire High
What grades does Mountain Empire High serve?
Mountain Empire High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mountain Empire High?
Mountain Empire High has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountain Empire High?
The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Empire High is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mountain Empire High rank in CA?
Mountain Empire High ranks #6,448 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Mountain Empire High's MySchoolScout rating?
Mountain Empire High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Mountain Empire High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mountain Empire High has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Mountain Empire High a charter school?
No, Mountain Empire High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mountain Empire High a Title I school?
No, Mountain Empire High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mountain Empire High?
51.7% of students at Mountain Empire 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 60.4%
- Phone
- (619) 473-8601
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Mountain Empire Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,871
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,531
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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