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Needs Improvement

#9039 of 9,539 schools in CA

Whittier K-12

School · San Diego Unified

3401 Clairemont Dr., San Diego, CA 92117

Enrollment

71

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,039 of 9,539

In San Diego

#276 of 288

public schools

In district

#171 of 174

San Diego Unified

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Whittier K-12

3.5/10

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

Marston Middle

8.5/10

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

Clairemont High

6.0/10

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

About Whittier K-12

Whittier K-12 is a public school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Whittier K-12 serves approximately 71 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Whittier K-12 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #9,039 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Whittier K-12 show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares3.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.9
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 71 students, Whittier K-12 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

52% of students at Whittier K-12 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 Progress1.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-3.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-25.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,828
Chronic Absenteeism52.1%

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 22.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 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
27%
ELA
27%
2010
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2011
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2012
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2013
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2020*
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: 1.5/10.

How Whittier K-12 Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
5th percentile in CA
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.1%

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 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Riley/New Dawn (rated 5.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Muir Language Academy (rated 5.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably 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 8.5
Clairemont High San Diego 0.5 mi 6.0
Holmes Elementary San Diego 0.7 mi 9.2
Toler Elementary San Diego 0.7 mi 8.0
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 8.0
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 5.8
Mt. Everest Academy San Diego 1.3 mi 9.2
JAPANESE ACADEMY OF SAN DIEGO San Diego 1.4 mi
John Muir Language Academy San Diego 1.4 mi 5.0
High Tech Elementary Mesa San Diego 1.3 mi 7.1
High Tech Middle Mesa San Diego 1.3 mi 7.5
High Tech High Mesa San Diego 1.3 mi 5.4
Longfellow K-8 San Diego 1.5 mi 8.5
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Tehama County Special Education Red Bluff, CA 3.5
Victress Bower School for Exceptional Students Norco, CA 3.5
Live Oak Alternative Live Oak, CA 3.6
Butte County Special Education Oroville, CA 3.3
Elevated Digital Learning Academy South Lake Tahoe, CA 3.7
Ralph Richardson Center Carmichael, CA 3.3

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 ranks #9,039 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Whittier K-12's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier K-12 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Whittier K-12?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whittier K-12 has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.1%

District

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

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