Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.6%
Math vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,249

Poway High — Students at Poway High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 64.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
55%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
44.3%
ELA
62.7%

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.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
95 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (717/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Poway). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Poway Unified
District Enrollment
34,935
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,231
District Rank
#19 of 38

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 methodology

Related reading

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.