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Average

#4370 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 46% in state

Poway High

High School · Poway Unified

15500 Espola Rd., Poway, CA 92064

Enrollment

2,161

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,370 of 9,539

In Poway

#9 of 13

public schools

In district

#35 of 38

Poway Unified

Equity

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Poway High

6.6/10

High School in Poway · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Montessori Child Development Center

Nearby

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

Tierra Bonita Elementary

8.4/10

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

About Poway High

Poway High is a public high school in Poway, CA, part of Poway Unified. Poway High serves approximately 2,161 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Poway High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #4,370 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Poway High show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Poway High is a large school: 2,161 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Poway High runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation33.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,231
Chronic Absenteeism22%

Poway High — Students at Poway High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

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 60.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 70.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 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
76%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
70%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
44.3%
ELA
62.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Poway High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
95 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
33.5% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

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 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Abraxas Continuation High (rated 4.0/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 8.4
Twin Peaks Middle Poway 1.4 mi 6.8
Painted Rock Elementary Poway 1.4 mi 7.9
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 6.6
Chaparral Elementary Poway 2.3 mi 7.5
Bernardo Heights Middle San Diego 2.3 mi 7.1
Rancho Bernardo High San Diego 2.4 mi 7.2
Abraxas Continuation High Poway 2.7 mi 4.0
SKILLS LEARNING CENTER Poway 3.1 mi
Garden Road Elementary Poway 3.0 mi 7.1
DOT TO DOT San Diego 2.7 mi
CHILDRENS PRESCHOOL LEARNING CENTER Poway 3.1 mi
Highland Ranch Elementary San Diego 2.9 mi 7.0
Valley Elementary Poway 3.3 mi 6.2
Meadowbrook Middle Poway 3.3 mi 7.5
Pomerado Elementary Poway 3.6 mi 7.0
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Angelo Rodriguez High Fairfield, CA 6.6
Arroyo Grande High Arroyo Grande, CA 6.6
Cesar E. Chavez High Delano, CA 6.6
Chino Hills High Chino Hills, CA 6.6
Frontier High Bakersfield, CA 6.6
Greenfield High Greenfield, CA 6.6

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 ranks #4,370 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Poway High's MySchoolScout rating?

Poway High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Poway High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Poway High has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.0%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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