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
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Whittier K-12 — Students at Whittier K-12 score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (858) 490-2770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #108 of 174
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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