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Below Average

#7625 of 9,539 schools in CA

Palomar High

High School · Sweetwater Union High

480 Palomar St., Chula Vista, CA 91911

Enrollment

299

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

4.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,625 of 9,539

In Chula Vista

#51 of 62

public schools

In district

#22 of 28

Sweetwater Union High

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Palomar High

4.8/10

High School in Chula Vista · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lauderbach (j. Calvin) Elementary

4.1/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Montgomery (john J.) Elementary

5.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Palomar High

Palomar High is a public high school in Chula Vista, CA, part of Sweetwater Union High. Palomar High serves approximately 299 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Palomar High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,625 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Palomar High show 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Palomar High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-48.2 pts
Overall Proficiency4% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-22.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness2.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate17%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,647

Palomar High — Students at Palomar High score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 14.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 24 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2024
ELA
7.7%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Palomar High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
20th percentile in CA
Academic
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

480 Palomar St., Chula Vista, CA 91911

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palomar High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Options Secondary (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montgomery Senior High (rated 6.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Castle Park Senior High (rated 6.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chula Vista, see our Chula Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Lauderbach (J. Calvin) Elementary Chula Vista 0.2 mi 4.1
Montgomery (John J.) Elementary Chula Vista 0.6 mi 5.3
MAAC Community Charter Chula Vista 0.5 mi 3.8
Options Secondary Chula Vista 0.7 mi 6.8
Harborside Elementary Chula Vista 0.8 mi 3.4
Rice (Lilian J.) Elementary Chula Vista 0.9 mi 4.9
Castle Park Middle Chula Vista 0.8 mi 4.6
Chula Vista Senior High Chula Vista 1.2 mi 4.9
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter Chula Vista 1.2 mi 9.3
Otay Elementary Chula Vista 1.1 mi 4.5
Castle Park Elementary Chula Vista 1.2 mi 6.9
OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego 1.4 mi 6.0
ST PIUS X SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.3 mi 5.9
Castle Park Senior High Chula Vista 1.3 mi 6.4
Montgomery Senior High San Diego 1.5 mi 6.8
Loma Verde Elementary Chula Vista 1.4 mi 5.6
Accelerated Academics San Diego 1.7 mi
Sunnyslope Elementary San Diego 1.7 mi 4.1
Refugio de Amor Academy San Diego 1.7 mi
Cook (Hazel Goes) Elementary Chula Vista 1.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91911 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,334

Median Home Value

$602,000

Median Rent

$1,931/mo

Population

84,619

College Educated

19.5%

Homeownership

51.8%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

36.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BISHOP CONATY-OUR LADY OF LORETTO HIGH SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 4.8
Clear Lake High Lakeport, CA 4.8
College Bridge Academy Long Beach, CA 4.8
Greenwood Academy Richmond, CA 4.8
Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise Los Angeles, CA 4.8
South Fork High Miranda, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palomar High

What grades does Palomar High serve?

Palomar High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Palomar High?

Palomar High has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palomar High?

The student-teacher ratio at Palomar High is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palomar High rank in CA?

Palomar High ranks #7,625 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Palomar High's MySchoolScout rating?

Palomar High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Palomar High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Palomar High has 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Palomar High a charter school?

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

Is Palomar High a Title I school?

No, Palomar High is not currently a Title I school.

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

85.6% of students at Palomar 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
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.6%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
4-Year Graduation
17.0%

District

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

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.

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