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Very Good

#173 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 10% of private schools

San Diego French American School

Elementary School

6550 SOLEDAD MOUNTAIN RD, La Jolla, CA 92037

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

277

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In La Jolla

#1 of 9

public schools

California elementary schools

#91 of 1,102

About San Diego French American School

San Diego French American School serves 277 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the prestigious La Jolla community. This unique public school offers an exceptional learning environment with a remarkably low 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention from its 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned strong recognition with a 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #740 out of 1790 California elementary schools, placing it in the 59th percentile statewide.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence and its distinctive educational approach. Located at 6550 Soledad Mountain Road, the school sits in one of San Diego's most affluent neighborhoods, where 74% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $136,601. The community's emphasis on education, reflected in the low 8.8% poverty rate and median home values of $1.8 million, creates a supportive environment for student success.

The school's bilingual French-American program offers students a unique opportunity to develop global perspectives and language skills while receiving a comprehensive education. Situated in the vibrant La Jolla area of San Diego, students benefit from the cultural richness and educational resources of this dynamic coastal community.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, San Diego French American School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, San Diego French American School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$43,442
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$36,414
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.84x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
93%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$41.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 277 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How San Diego French American School compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in La Jolla, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
This School
vs
23.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
277
This School
vs
587
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.7
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 55.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 11.6% vs 0%
Asian 4% vs 0%
Black 1.8% vs 0%
San Diego French American School La Jolla Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
San Diego French American School (this school) 7.7
Muirlands Middle 8.1
La Jolla Elementary 6.3
Torrey Pines Elementary 7.7
Bird Rock Elementary 6.0
Preuss School UCSD 7.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,365
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 61%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 277
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 55.2%
Two or More 27.4%
Hispanic 11.6%
Asian 4.0%
Black 1.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

6550 SOLEDAD MOUNTAIN RD, La Jolla, CA 92037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering San Diego French American School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MISSION BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Torrey Pines Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THE CHILDRENS SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Jolla, see our La Jolla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
San Diego French-American School La Jolla 0.0 mi
All Hallows Academy La Jolla 0.1 mi
ALL HALLOWS ACADEMY La Jolla 0.1 mi 6.8
The Evans School La Jolla 0.2 mi
THE CHILDRENS SCHOOL La Jolla 1.1 mi 7.5
Muirlands Middle La Jolla 1.2 mi 8.1
MISSION BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY San Diego 1.3 mi 8.5
La Jolla Elementary La Jolla 1.4 mi 6.3
Gillispie School La Jolla 1.5 mi
THE GILLISPIE SCHOOL La Jolla 1.5 mi 6.7
Torrey Pines Elementary La Jolla 1.7 mi 7.7
La Jolla High La Jolla 1.5 mi 8.0
Pacific Beach Elementary San Diego 1.8 mi 7.1
LA JOLLA VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL La Jolla 1.5 mi
STELLA MARIS ACADEMY La Jolla 1.6 mi 7.2
Alcott Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 3.9
Stella Maris Academy La Jolla 1.6 mi
DAY PREP La Jolla 1.7 mi 6.0
Bird Rock Elementary La Jolla 1.9 mi 6.0
Sessions Elementary San Diego 1.9 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,822

Median Home Value

$1,857,800

Median Rent

$2,632/mo

Population

39,284

College Educated

75.6%

Homeownership

62%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding San Diego French American School has a median household income of $141,822. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,857,800, with a median rent of $2,632/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Adams Elementary Costa Mesa, CA 7.7
Aldama Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.7
Alta Mesa Elementary Redding, CA 7.7
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria, CA 7.7
Arlington Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.7
Arturo Sanchez Elementary Norwalk, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about San Diego French American School

What grades does San Diego French American School serve?

San Diego French American School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend San Diego French American School?

San Diego French American School has an enrollment of approximately 277 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at San Diego French American School?

The student-teacher ratio at San Diego French American School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does San Diego French American School rank in CA?

San Diego French American School is ranked #173 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is San Diego French American School's MySchoolScout rating?

San Diego French American School has a composite rating of 7.7 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.

Is San Diego French American School a private school?

Yes, San Diego French American School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is San Diego French American School a religious school?

No, San Diego French American School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
277
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.8 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Large City
County
SAN DIEGO
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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