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Average

#4976 of 9,539 schools in CA

Vista High

High School · Vista Unified

1234 Arcadia Ave., Vista, CA 92084

Enrollment

1,896

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,976 of 9,539

In Vista

#12 of 34

public schools

In district

#8 of 27

Vista Unified

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Vista High

6.3/10

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

Vista Adult Transition Center

5.9/10

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

Vista Springs Charter

6.4/10

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

About Vista High

Vista High is a public high school in Vista, CA, part of Vista Unified. Vista High serves approximately 1,896 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Vista High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,976 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Vista High show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

40% of students at Vista High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation16.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,647
Chronic Absenteeism39.5%

Vista High — Students at Vista High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 50.9% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
49%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
50%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
56%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
16.5%
ELA
39.9%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Vista High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in CA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
21
10 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
100 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
16.6% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·110 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
10 boys'·11 girls'·45 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

1234 Arcadia Ave., Vista, CA 92084

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North County Trade Tech High (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vista Adult Transition Center (rated 5.9/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Alta Vista High (Continuation) (rated 5.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Vista, see our Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Vista Adult Transition Center Vista 0.1 mi 5.9
Vista Springs Charter Temecula 0.4 mi 6.4
Bobier Elementary Vista 0.4 mi 4.5
Guajome Park Academy Charter Vista 0.7 mi 8.6
Guajome Learning Centers Vista 0.7 mi 5.6
NEW HAVEN YFS Vista 0.8 mi
Golden Grove Academy Vista 0.9 mi
Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Vista 1.1 mi 5.4
California Avenue Elementary Vista 1.1 mi
North County Trade Tech High Vista 1.1 mi 8.4
Foothill Oak Elementary Vista 1.1 mi 4.2
Vista Magnet Middle School of Technology Science and Math Vista 1.3 mi 6.7
Maryland Elementary Vista 1.2 mi 4.8
Alta Vista High (Continuation) Vista 1.2 mi 5.6
Vista Visions Academy Vista 1.2 mi 6.1
Vista Innovation and Design Academy Vista 1.6 mi 8.3
Major General Raymond Murray High Vista 1.8 mi 3.9
VISTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vista 1.8 mi 7.1
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Vista 1.9 mi 8.1
Mission Meadows Elementary Vista 1.9 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92084 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,410

Median Home Value

$745,800

Median Rent

$1,936/mo

Population

49,533

College Educated

27.1%

Homeownership

57.6%

Avg Commute

28.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aptos High Aptos, CA 6.3
Bella Vista High Fair Oaks, CA 6.3
Burroughs High Ridgecrest, CA 6.3
Chino High Chino, CA 6.3
Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria, CA 6.3
Everett Alvarez High Salinas, CA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista High

What grades does Vista High serve?

Vista High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Vista High?

Vista High has an enrollment of approximately 1,896 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista High?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista High is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista High rank in CA?

Vista High ranks #4,976 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Vista High's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Vista High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vista High has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Vista High a charter school?

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

Is Vista High a Title I school?

No, Vista High is not currently a Title I school.

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

72.9% of students at Vista 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,896
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
100
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.5%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Vista Unified
District Enrollment
18,469
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,647
District Rank
#8 of 27

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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