Very Good
#2391 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 25% in state
Southwest High
High School · Central Union High
2001 Ocotillo Dr., EL Centro, CA 92243
Enrollment
1,842
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,842
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Centro
#3 of 21
public schools
California high schools
#426 of 1,892
In district
#1 of 4
Central Union High
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Southwest High
Southwest High serves 1,842 students in grades 9-12 in El Centro, California, operating as a regular public school with 91 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 58th percentile among California high schools at #3991 out of 9566 schools statewide. Academically, Southwest High shows strength in English Language Arts, with 56% of students performing at proficient levels or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an opportunity for growth, with 18% of students currently meeting proficiency standards. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $54,250 and the median home value reaches $260,400.
About 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 21.5% of families experience poverty, indicating a range of socioeconomic backgrounds among the student population. Southwest High is situated in the small city of El Centro in Imperial County, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while offering the resources and opportunities of a sizable high school serving nearly 2,000 students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest High is 20.2:1, 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
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Southwest High — Students at Southwest High score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.0/10.
How Southwest High Compares
See how Southwest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 17.78% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 56.02% (2024).
Location
2001 Ocotillo Dr., EL Centro, CA 92243
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central Union High (rated 6.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Imperial Pathways Charter (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Desert Oasis High (Continuation) (rated 5.2/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in EL Centro, see our EL Centro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| De Anza Magnet El Centro | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| St. Marys School El Centro | 0.7 mi | — |
| ST MARY S SCHOOL El Centro | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Wilson Jr. High El Centro | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Christian Home Academy El Centro | 1.0 mi | — |
| Imperial Valley Home School Academy El Centro | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Sunflower Elementary El Centro | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Central Union High El Centro | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Calvary Chapel Christian School El Centro El Centro | 1.4 mi | — |
| Harding Elementary El Centro | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Desert Garden Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary El Centro | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| McCabe Elementary El Centro | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary El Centro | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Imperial County Special Education El Centro | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Imperial County Juvenile Hall/Community El Centro | 1.9 mi | — |
| Imperial Pathways Charter El Centro | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Desert Oasis High (Continuation) El Centro | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,890
Median Home Value
$286,100
Median Rent
$992/mo
Population
48,556
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
51.5%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest High has a median household income of $55,890. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,100, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Canyon Springs High Moreno Valley, CA | 7.4 |
| El Diamante High Visalia, CA | 7.4 |
| Gabrielino High San Gabriel, CA | 7.4 |
| Nogales High La Puente, CA | 7.4 |
| Piedmont Hills High San Jose, CA | 7.4 |
| San Dieguito HS Academy Encinitas, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest High
What grades does Southwest High serve?
Southwest High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southwest High?
Southwest High has an enrollment of approximately 1,842 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest High?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest High is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest High rank in CA?
Southwest High is ranked #2391 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Southwest High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest High has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Southwest High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest High has 21.4% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest High a charter school?
No, Southwest High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest High a Title I school?
No, Southwest High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest High?
75.1% of students at Southwest 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Centro). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,842
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 91
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Imperial County
- Phone
- (760) 336-4100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Union High- District Enrollment
- 4,023
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,038
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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.
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