Average
#3810 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 40% in state
Poway High
High School · Poway Unified
15500 Espola Rd., Poway, CA 92064
Enrollment
2,161
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,161
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Poway
#4 of 13
public schools
California high schools
#734 of 1,892
In district
#19 of 38
Poway Unified
Equity
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Poway High
Poway High serves 2,161 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Poway, California, operating as a comprehensive public high school with 95 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1. The school earns a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 72nd percentile statewide, placing it at #2,688 among California's 9,566 schools. Academically, Poway High demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 63% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics shows room for growth, with 44% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement in this competitive educational landscape. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $135,943 and 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a low poverty rate of 5.9% and median home values of $911,900, the surrounding ZIP code of 92064 houses nearly 49,000 residents who value education and community investment. Poway High sits in San Diego County's large suburban setting, providing students with the benefits of both educational resources and the broader opportunities that come with proximity to one of California's major metropolitan areas.
What Parents Should Know
Poway High is a large school with 2,161 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Poway High is 22.7:1, 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Poway High — Students at Poway High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.
How Poway High Compares
See how Poway High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 44.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62.65% (2024).
Location
15500 Espola Rd., Poway, CA 92064
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Poway High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rancho Bernardo High (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Abraxas Continuation High (rated 6.0/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Poway, see our Poway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Poway | 1.1 mi | — |
| Tierra Bonita Elementary Poway | 1.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Twin Peaks Middle Poway | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Painted Rock Elementary Poway | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Country Montessori School of Poway Poway | 1.8 mi | — |
| ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Poway | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Midland Elementary Poway | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Chaparral Elementary Poway | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Bernardo Heights Middle San Diego | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Rancho Bernardo High San Diego | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Abraxas Continuation High Poway | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| SKILLS LEARNING CENTER Poway | 3.1 mi | — |
| Garden Road Elementary Poway | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| DOT TO DOT San Diego | 2.7 mi | — |
| CHILDRENS PRESCHOOL LEARNING CENTER Poway | 3.1 mi | — |
| Highland Ranch Elementary San Diego | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Valley Elementary Poway | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Meadowbrook Middle Poway | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Pomerado Elementary Poway | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| THE GROWING PLACE MONTESSORI Poway | 3.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$144,201
Median Home Value
$971,600
Median Rent
$2,261/mo
Population
48,555
College Educated
53.5%
Homeownership
75.7%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Poway High has a median household income of $144,201. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $971,600, with a median rent of $2,261/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Aptos High Aptos, CA | 6.8 |
| Buena Park High Buena Park, CA | 6.8 |
| Calabasas High Calabasas, CA | 6.8 |
| Carson Senior High Carson, CA | 6.8 |
| Centennial High Corona, CA | 6.8 |
| Chico High Chico, CA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Poway High
What grades does Poway High serve?
Poway High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Poway High?
Poway High has an enrollment of approximately 2,161 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Poway High?
The student-teacher ratio at Poway High is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Poway High rank in CA?
Poway High is ranked #3810 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Poway High's MySchoolScout rating?
Poway High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Poway High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poway High has 47.9% math proficiency and 64.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Poway High a charter school?
No, Poway High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Poway High a Title I school?
No, Poway High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poway High?
23.1% of students at Poway 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,161
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 95
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (858) 748-0245
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poway Unified- District Enrollment
- 34,935
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,231
- District Rank
- #19 of 38
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
- 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.