Skip to main content

Excellent

#1416 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 15% 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

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#52 of 288

public schools

California high schools

#238 of 1,892

In district

#36 of 174

San Diego Unified

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About University City High

University City High serves 1,505 students in grades 9-12 in San Diego's University City neighborhood. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.3:1. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile among California high schools at #1982 out of 9,566 schools statewide.

Academically, University City High shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 48% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement.

The school draws from a highly educated community in the 92122 ZIP code, where 75% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $98,330. Despite the area's overall affluence, with median home values of $894,700, the community includes economic diversity with a 21.8% poverty rate among its 45,988 residents. University City High is situated in San Diego's vibrant University City area, a large metropolitan setting that offers students access to urban amenities and opportunities while maintaining a neighborhood school feel.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at University City High is 24.3:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.3%
Math vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation38.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,711

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 52.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 79.6%
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
46%
ELA
80%
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: 6.9/10.

How University City High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

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 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby La Jolla), with a comparable rating. 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 8.2
Standley Middle San Diego 0.5 mi 7.1
TORAH HIGH SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO San Diego 0.7 mi 6.5
Spreckels Elementary San Diego 0.9 mi 8.2
Doyle Elementary San Diego 0.9 mi 6.3
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 8.7
Hawthorne Elementary San Diego 1.8 mi 5.0
Preuss School UCSD La Jolla 1.8 mi 7.5
MISSION BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY San Diego 1.7 mi 8.5
Field Elementary San Diego 2.0 mi 8.7
Learning Choice Academy Santee 2.0 mi 7.6
Alcott Elementary San Diego 2.1 mi 3.9
Creative Performing and Media Arts San Diego 2.1 mi 4.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding University City High has a median household income of $98,825. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,005,000, with a median rent of $2,601/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Gahr (Richard) High Cerritos, CA 8.0
La Canada High La Canada, CA 8.0
La Jolla High La Jolla, CA 8.0
La Quinta High Westminster, CA 8.0
Lemoore High Lemoore, CA 8.0
Marco Antonio Firebaugh High Lynwood, CA 8.0

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 is ranked #1416 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is University City High's MySchoolScout rating?

University City High has a composite rating of 8.0 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 University City High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University City High has 52.9% math proficiency and 79.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.