Average
#6325 of 9,533 schools in CA
Sweetwater High
High School · Sweetwater Union High
2900 Highland Ave., National City, CA 91950
Enrollment
2,425
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,425
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In National City
#4 of 15
public schools
California high schools
#1,353 of 1,892
In district
#19 of 28
Sweetwater Union High
About Sweetwater High
Sweetwater High serves 2,425 students in grades 9-12 in National City, California, operating as a regular public school in San Diego County. With 99 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.5:1, providing a substantial high school experience in this diverse community. Academically, Sweetwater High has room for growth, with 44% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts while 11% reach proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 27th percentile statewide, reflecting ongoing efforts to support student achievement across all subject areas. These results indicate the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and help students reach their full potential. The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $59,414 and median home values reach $504,300.
About 15% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 14.4% in the surrounding ZIP code of 91950, which serves a population of 57,844 residents. Sweetwater High is situated in a large suburban setting along Highland Avenue, serving as an important educational anchor in National City's vibrant, multicultural community within the greater San Diego metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
Sweetwater High is a large school with 2,425 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 Sweetwater High is 24.5:1, 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
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Sweetwater High — Students at Sweetwater High score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
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: 3.0/10.
How Sweetwater High Compares
See how Sweetwater High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 11.11% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 44.09% (2024).
Location
2900 Highland Ave., National City, CA 91950
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sweetwater High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Chula Vista), which scores notably higher. Another option is Granger Junior High (rated 6.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Vista Square Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Chula Vista), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in National City, see our National City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Olivewood National City | 0.2 mi | 3.9 |
| John A. Otis Elementary National City | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| National City Middle National City | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Kimball National City | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chula Vista | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Las Palmas National City | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Hawking S.T.E.A.M. Charter Chula Vista | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Feaster (Mae L.) Charter Chula Vista | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Central Elementary National City | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Howard Gardner Community Charter Chula Vista | 1.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Lincoln Acres National City | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Integrity Charter National City | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy National City | 1.4 mi | — |
| BEREAN BIBLE BAPTIST ACADEMY Chula Vista | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Berean Bible Baptist Academy Chula Vista | 1.6 mi | — |
| Rosebank Elementary Chula Vista | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Granger Junior High National City | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Vista Square Elementary Chula Vista | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Davila Day Chula Vista | 1.8 mi | — |
| Chula Vista Middle Chula Vista | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91950 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,858
Median Home Value
$580,700
Median Rent
$1,600/mo
Population
57,173
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
35.2%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sweetwater High has a median household income of $63,858. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $580,700, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Armijo High Fairfield, CA | 5.7 |
| Atwater High Atwater, CA | 5.7 |
| Central East High Fresno, CA | 5.7 |
| Coachella Valley High Thermal, CA | 5.7 |
| Moreno Valley High Moreno Valley, CA | 5.7 |
| Oak Hills High Oak Hills, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sweetwater High
What grades does Sweetwater High serve?
Sweetwater High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Sweetwater High?
Sweetwater High has an enrollment of approximately 2,425 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sweetwater High?
The student-teacher ratio at Sweetwater High is 24.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sweetwater High rank in CA?
Sweetwater High is ranked #6325 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Sweetwater High's MySchoolScout rating?
Sweetwater High has a composite rating of 5.7 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.
What are the test scores at Sweetwater High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sweetwater High has 18.3% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sweetwater High a charter school?
No, Sweetwater High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sweetwater High a Title I school?
No, Sweetwater High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sweetwater High?
89.5% of students at Sweetwater 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
- Walk Score
- 62 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 50 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 65 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,651/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (National City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,425
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 99
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 474-9700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sweetwater Union High- District Enrollment
- 35,226
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,647
- District Rank
- #19 of 28
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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