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Very Good

#2184 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 23% in state

Steele Canyon High

High School · Steele Canyon High District

12440 Campo Rd., Spring Valley, CA 91978

Charter

Enrollment

2,147

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spring Valley

#3 of 8

public schools

California high schools

#381 of 1,892

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Steele Canyon High

Steele Canyon High serves 2,147 students in grades 9-12 in Spring Valley, California, operating as a charter school with 89 full-time teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 24.1:1. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 79th percentile statewide at #2018 out of 9,566 California schools. Students show strong literacy skills, with 77% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.

Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 40% of students reaching proficiency, indicating an area where the school is focusing on student development and growth. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $95,541 and median home values reach $528,000. About 27% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 18.4% of families experience poverty, reflecting the mixed socioeconomic landscape that shapes the student body.

As a charter school, Steele Canyon High offers families an alternative educational approach within the public system. The campus sits in a rural setting near Spring Valley, providing students with a more spacious learning environment away from urban density while still maintaining access to San Diego County's educational and cultural resources.

What Parents Should Know

Steele Canyon High is a large school with 2,147 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 Steele Canyon High is 24.1:1, 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.

Steele Canyon High is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.4%
Math vs. State Avg+12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.5 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,453

Steele Canyon High — Students at Steele Canyon High score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 74.0%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
40.2%
ELA
77.4%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Steele Canyon High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
77th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
89 teachers

Location

12440 Campo Rd., Spring Valley, CA 91978

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Steele Canyon High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Monte Vista High (rated 5.6/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Valhalla High (rated 4.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby El Cajon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spring Valley, see our Spring Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Jamacha Elementary El Cajon 1.0 mi 5.0
Cajon Valley Home El Cajon 1.0 mi 8.0
Hillsdale Middle El Cajon 1.3 mi 6.8
Rancho San Diego Elementary El Cajon 1.7 mi 7.5
Valhalla High El Cajon 2.1 mi 4.8
Vista Grande Elementary El Cajon 2.5 mi 5.9
Fuerte Elementary El Cajon 2.5 mi 4.8
Avocado Elementary La Mesa 2.5 mi 5.2
Loma Elementary La Mesa 2.5 mi 5.4
Trust Blended Learning Spring Valley 2.5 mi 5.5
MONTESSORI ACHIEVEMENT CENTRE Spring Valley 2.7 mi
College Preparatory Middle Spring Valley 2.9 mi 8.1
Monte Vista High Spring Valley 2.9 mi 5.6
Sweetwater Springs Elementary La Mesa 2.9 mi 5.6
Fred Finch Youth Center Spring Valley 3.0 mi
Casa de Oro Elementary La Mesa 3.0 mi 5.7
Elevation of Wolves Academy Spring Valley 3.2 mi
CHASE RANCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL El Cajon 3.8 mi
Highlands Elementary La Mesa 3.3 mi 5.7
Anza Elementary El Cajon 3.8 mi 2.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91978 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,506

Median Home Value

$597,300

Median Rent

$2,226/mo

Population

10,511

College Educated

30.6%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Steele Canyon High has a median household income of $111,506. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $597,300, with a median rent of $2,226/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Alameda High Alameda, CA 7.5
Arroyo High El Monte, CA 7.5
Bell Senior High Bell, CA 7.5
Citrus Hill High Perris, CA 7.5
Claremont High Claremont, CA 7.5
Davis Senior High Davis, CA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Steele Canyon High

What grades does Steele Canyon High serve?

Steele Canyon High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Steele Canyon High?

Steele Canyon High has an enrollment of approximately 2,147 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Steele Canyon High?

The student-teacher ratio at Steele Canyon High is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Steele Canyon High rank in CA?

Steele Canyon High is ranked #2184 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Steele Canyon High's MySchoolScout rating?

Steele Canyon High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Steele Canyon High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Steele Canyon High has 41.6% math proficiency and 74.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Steele Canyon High a charter school?

Yes, Steele Canyon High is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Steele Canyon High a Title I school?

No, Steele Canyon High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Steele Canyon High?

52.4% of students at Steele Canyon 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (114/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,147
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
89
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Steele Canyon High District
District Enrollment
2,147
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,840
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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