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Average

#4708 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 49% in state

Whittier K-12

School · San Diego Unified

3401 Clairemont Dr., San Diego, CA 92117

Enrollment

71

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#169 of 288

public schools

California schools

#151 of 475

In district

#108 of 174

San Diego Unified

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Whittier K-12

Whittier K-12 is an alternative school located in San Diego, California, at 3401 Clairemont Dr. Offering a unique educational experience from kindergarten through twelfth grade, Whittier serves a small but diverse community of 71 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.1:1. The school's approach is tailored to meet the needs of students who may thrive in an alternative setting, providing personalized attention and support.

Whittier K-12 has seven full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where each child can grow both academically and personally. While academic scores are currently at 1.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's rating system and the school ranks in the 28th percentile among California schools, Whittier focuses more on student development and support than traditional test performance metrics. Situated within a bustling city setting, Whittier K-12 is an integral part of San Diego’s educational landscape.

The neighborhood surrounding the school does not have specific data available, but it benefits from the resources and opportunities that come with being in a large urban area. For families seeking a unique and supportive learning environment, Whittier K-12 offers a distinctive approach to education in the heart of San Diego.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 71 students, Whittier K-12 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Whittier K-12 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-25.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,711

Whittier K-12 — Students at Whittier K-12 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Whittier K-12 Compares

See how Whittier K-12 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in CA
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

3401 Clairemont Dr., San Diego, CA 92117

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whittier K-12 may also want to explore other schools in the area. Mt. Everest Academy (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is John Muir Language Academy (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Riley/New Dawn (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Marston Middle San Diego 0.4 mi 7.8
Clairemont High San Diego 0.5 mi 6.6
Holmes Elementary San Diego 0.7 mi 8.8
Toler Elementary San Diego 0.7 mi 7.0
SCY HIGH (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL) San Diego 0.8 mi 6.1
Southern California Yeshiva High School San Diego 0.8 mi
Bay Park Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 6.3
THE CHILD'S PRIMARY SCHOOL San Diego 1.1 mi 7.2
Child's Primary, The San Diego 1.1 mi
Riley/New Dawn San Diego 1.2 mi 6.8
Mt. Everest Academy San Diego 1.3 mi 8.5
JAPANESE ACADEMY OF SAN DIEGO San Diego 1.4 mi
John Muir Language Academy San Diego 1.4 mi 7.4
High Tech Elementary Mesa San Diego 1.3 mi 4.1
High Tech Middle Mesa San Diego 1.3 mi 6.6
High Tech High Mesa San Diego 1.3 mi 6.8
Longfellow K-8 San Diego 1.5 mi 7.2
Japanese Academy of San Diego San Diego 1.6 mi
Maria Montessori School San Diego 1.6 mi
MARIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Diego 1.6 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,286

Median Home Value

$914,400

Median Rent

$2,115/mo

Population

52,645

College Educated

50.7%

Homeownership

57.2%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whittier K-12 has a median household income of $105,286. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $914,400, with a median rent of $2,115/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
BRIGHT FUTURES ACADEMY RIVERSIDE Riverside, CA 6.4
EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Anaheim, CA 6.4
Elevated Digital Learning Academy South Lake Tahoe, CA 6.4
Mountain Park Monrovia, CA 6.4
NORTH HILLS PREP Van Nuys, CA 6.4
ALLAIS SCHOOL Walnut, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whittier K-12

What grades does Whittier K-12 serve?

Whittier K-12 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Whittier K-12?

Whittier K-12 has an enrollment of approximately 71 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier K-12?

The student-teacher ratio at Whittier K-12 is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whittier K-12 rank in CA?

Whittier K-12 is ranked #4708 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Whittier K-12's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier K-12 has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Whittier K-12?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier K-12 has 10.0% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whittier K-12 a charter school?

No, Whittier K-12 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whittier K-12 a Title I school?

No, Whittier K-12 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittier K-12?

69.0% of students at Whittier K-12 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

City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.0%
Type
alternative
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
#108 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

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