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Excellent

#739 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 8% in state

University City High

High School · San Diego Unified

6949 Genesee Ave., San Diego, CA 92122

Enrollment

1,505

Student-Teacher

24.3:1

Score

8.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#739 of 9,539

In San Diego

#45 of 288

public schools

In district

#30 of 174

San Diego Unified

Equity

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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University City High

8.6/10

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

Curie Elementary

8.6/10

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

Standley Middle

8.5/10

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

About University City High

University City High is a public high school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. University City High serves approximately 1,505 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 24.3:1 student-teacher ratio. University City High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #739 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for University City High show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

University City High runs 24.3:1 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 Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate98%
AP Participation38.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,828
Chronic Absenteeism16.8%

University City High — Students at University City High score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 77.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
68%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
86%
2015
Math
58%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
83%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
80%
2020*
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2024
Math
48.1%
ELA
74.3%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How University City High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
92th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
27
13 boys' · 14 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
38.2% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics27sports offered
13 boys'·14 girls'·48 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

6949 Genesee Ave., San Diego, CA 92122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University City High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Preuss School UCSD (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby La Jolla), a more accessible option. Another option is FUSION SAN DIEGO (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, TORAH HIGH SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO (rated 6.5/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Curie Elementary San Diego 0.4 mi 8.6
Standley Middle San Diego 0.5 mi 8.5
TORAH HIGH SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO San Diego 0.7 mi 6.5
Spreckels Elementary San Diego 0.9 mi 8.1
Doyle Elementary San Diego 0.9 mi 8.1
La Jolla Country Day School La Jolla 1.4 mi
LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL La Jolla 1.4 mi 6.8
FUSION SAN DIEGO San Diego 1.3 mi 6.9
Fusion Academy San Diego 1.3 mi
Whitman Elementary San Diego 1.7 mi 6.1
Hawthorne Elementary San Diego 1.8 mi 8.2
Preuss School UCSD La Jolla 1.8 mi 7.1
MISSION BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY San Diego 1.7 mi 8.5
Field Elementary San Diego 2.0 mi 8.8
Learning Choice Academy Santee 2.0 mi 7.9
Alcott Elementary San Diego 2.1 mi 7.5
Creative Performing and Media Arts San Diego 2.1 mi 5.2
BETH MONTESSORI La Jolla 2.0 mi
MARIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Diego 2.5 mi 7.5
Maria Montessori School San Diego 2.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,825

Median Home Value

$1,005,000

Median Rent

$2,601/mo

Population

45,437

College Educated

74.3%

Homeownership

33.6%

Avg Commute

18.8 min

Poverty Rate

20.9%

Median Age

31.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Acalanes High Lafayette, CA 8.6
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High Los Angeles, CA 8.6
La Canada High La Canada, CA 8.6
Mission Vista High Vista, CA 8.6
Woodrow Wilson Senior High Los Angeles, CA 8.6
Abraham Lincoln Senior High Los Angeles, CA 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University City High

What grades does University City High serve?

University City High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend University City High?

University City High has an enrollment of approximately 1,505 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University City High?

The student-teacher ratio at University City High is 24.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University City High rank in CA?

University City High ranks #739 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is University City High's MySchoolScout rating?

University City High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 University City High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, University City High has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is University City High a charter school?

No, University City High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is University City High a Title I school?

No, University City High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University City High?

47.4% of students at University City 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
9 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,505
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.8%
4-Year Graduation
98.0%

District

San Diego Unified
District Enrollment
95,492
Schools in District
175
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,828
District Rank
#30 of 174

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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