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Mountain Empire Unified School District

Item: Mountain Empire Unified School District
Rating: 3
Author: Public School Review

3305 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962-4003

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (619) 473-9022

meusd.k12.ca.us

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 456 students in Mountain Empire Unified School District. This district's average high is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.

Public High Schools in Mountain Empire Unified School District have an score of 17% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and score of 29% (versus the 51% statewide average).

Public High School in Mountain Empire Unified School District have a of 86%, which is equal to the California average of 86%.

The school with highest graduation rate is Mountain Empire High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.

Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

10 Schools

2,801 Schools

# Students

1,738 Students

2,122,788 Students

# Teachers

82 Teachers

101,054 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

21:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
7	2	20
9	124	231
10	103	225
11	120	226
12	107	235

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District Rank

Mountain Empire Unified School District, which is ranked #1543 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 70% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#1536 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District
2023	#1536
2022	#1589
2021	#945
2019	#1395
2018	#805
2017	#564
2016	#758
2015	#762
2014	#329
2013	#811
2012	#737

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17%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2023	17%	34%
2022	15%	33%
2021	15%	34%
2019	24%	40%
2018	21%	39%
2017	29%	38%
2016	20%	37%
2015	20%	34%
2014	57%	63%
2013	45%	59%
2012	46%	59%

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29%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2022	29%	47%
2021	29%	49%
2019	38%	51%
2018	21%	50%
2017	45%	48%
2016	35%	48%
2015	29%	44%
2014	57%	58%
2013	44%	57%
2012	52%	58%
2011	52%	56%

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16%

29%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2022	16%	29%
2021	15%	28%

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70%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2023	70%	87%
2022	92%	87%
2021	87%	84%
2020	92%	85%
2019	87%	84%
2018	87%	84%
2017	82%	83%
2016	59%	83%
2015	69%	89%
2014	67%	88%
2013	72%	87%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.52

0.63

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2024	0.53	0.63
2023	0.52	0.64
2022	0.52	0.63
2021	0.52	0.62
2020	0.52	0.63
2019	0.52	0.63
2018	0.53	0.64
2017	0.53	0.64
2016	0.63	0.64
2015	0.63	0.64
2014	0.63	0.65
2013	0.62	0.65
2012	0.62	0.65
2011	0.63	0.67
2010	0.63	0.67
2009	0.62	0.71
2008	0.61	0.65
2007	0.60	0.67
2006	0.60	0.66
2005	0.59	0.67
2004	0.57	0.67
2003	0.57	0.67
2002	0.56	0.67
2001	0.54	0.67
2000	0.54	0.67
1999	0.54	0.67
1998	0.51	0.67
1997	0.50	0.67
1996	0.49	0.67
1995	0.47	0.67
1994	0.53	0.67
1993	0.52	0.67
1992	0.48	0.67
1991	0.46	0.67
1990	0.45	0.66
1989	0.43	0.65
1988	0.39	0.65

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2024)
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2024	4%	1%
2023	4%	1%
2022	4%	1%
2020	4%	1%
2019	4%	1%
2018	4%	1%
2017	4%	1%
2016	2%	1%
2015	3%	1%
2014	3%	1%
2013	4%	1%
2012	3%	1%
2011	4%	1%
2010	6%	1%
2009	8%	1%
2008	8%	1%
2007	9%	2%
2006	9%	1%
2005	10%	2%
2004	9%	2%
2003	10%	2%
2002	9%	2%
2001	9%	2%
2000	9%	1%
1999	9%	1%
1998	7%	1%
1997	8%	1%
1996	7%	1%
1995	6%	1%
1994	5%	1%
1993	5%	1%
1992	3%	1%
1991	3%	1%

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% Asian

n/a

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2024	3%	12%
2023	3%	12%
2022	3%	12%
2021	3%	12%
2020	3%	12%
2019	3%	12%
2018	3%	11%
2017	3%	11%
2016	3%	11%
2015	3%	11%
2014	4%	11%
2013	2%	11%
2012	2%	11%
2011	2%	11%
2010	2%	11%
2009	1%	11%
2008	2%	12%
2007	2%	12%
2006	2%	12%
2005	2%	12%
2004	1%	12%
2003	1%	11%
2002	1%	11%
2001	1%	11%
2000	1%	11%
1999	1%	11%
1998	1%	11%
1997	1%	11%
1996	2%	11%
1995	1%	11%
1994	1%	11%
1993	1%	11%
1992	1%	11%
1991	1%	11%
1990	1%	10%
1989	1%	10%
1988	1%	10%

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% Hispanic

65%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2024	41%	56%
2023	40%	55%
2022	39%	56%
2021	38%	56%
2020	38%	55%
2019	38%	55%
2018	38%	54%
2017	38%	54%
2016	37%	54%
2015	36%	54%
2014	38%	53%
2013	42%	53%
2012	42%	52%
2011	41%	51%
2010	39%	50%
2009	39%	49%
2008	38%	50%
2007	36%	49%
2006	35%	48%
2005	32%	47%
2004	30%	46%
2003	28%	45%
2002	28%	44%
2001	26%	43%
2000	26%	42%
1999	26%	41%
1998	25%	40%
1997	24%	40%
1996	23%	39%
1995	23%	38%
1994	33%	37%
1993	31%	36%
1992	29%	35%
1991	28%	34%
1990	25%	33%
1989	23%	31%
1988	21%	30%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2024)
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2024	4%	5%
2023	4%	5%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	4%	5%
2019	4%	5%
2018	4%	6%
2017	4%	6%
2016	4%	6%
2015	4%	6%
2014	4%	6%
2013	4%	6%
2012	3%	6%
2011	5%	7%
2010	4%	7%
2009	3%	7%
2008	3%	8%
2007	2%	8%
2006	1%	8%
2005	1%	8%
2004	2%	8%
2003	2%	8%
2002	2%	8%
2001	2%	8%
2000	2%	9%
1999	2%	9%
1998	2%	9%
1997	1%	9%
1996	1%	9%
1995	1%	9%
1994	1%	9%
1993	1%	9%
1992	1%	9%

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% White

26%

21%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2024	30%	20%
2023	29%	21%
2022	30%	21%
2021	30%	22%
2020	31%	23%
2019	31%	23%
2018	33%	24%
2017	33%	24%
2016	48%	24%
2015	49%	24%
2014	48%	25%
2013	45%	25%
2012	46%	26%
2011	46%	27%
2010	46%	27%
2009	47%	28%
2008	49%	29%
2007	51%	29%
2006	53%	31%
2005	55%	31%
2004	58%	32%
2003	59%	34%
2002	60%	35%
2001	62%	36%
2000	62%	37%
1999	62%	38%
1998	65%	39%
1997	66%	39%
1996	67%	40%
1995	69%	41%
1994	60%	42%
1993	62%	43%
1992	66%	44%
1991	68%	45%
1990	70%	47%
1989	72%	49%
1988	75%	50%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2014)
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2014	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%

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% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2024)
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2024	5%	6%
2023	5%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	5%	4%
2019	5%	4%
2018	6%	4%
2017	6%	4%
2016	6%	4%
2015	5%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	3%	3%
2012	3%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	2%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,695 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 11% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $15,502 is less than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$34 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2023	$34 MM	$8 MM
2022	$30 MM	$7 MM
2021	$34 MM	$8 MM
2020	$30 MM	$7 MM
2019	$29 MM	$7 MM
2018	$28 MM	$29 MM
2017	$26 MM	$26 MM
2016	$26 MM	$24 MM
2015	$21 MM	$17 MM
2014	$23 MM	$21 MM
2012	$25 MM	$19 MM
2011	$24 MM	$19 MM
2010	$21 MM	$17 MM
2009	$18 MM	$19 MM
2008	$19 MM	$19 MM
2007	$18 MM	$19 MM
2006	$17 MM	$17 MM
2005	$19 MM	$16 MM
2004	$18 MM	$16 MM
2003	$19 MM	$16 MM
2002	$16 MM	$15 MM
2001	$16 MM	$15 MM
2000	$13 MM	$13 MM
1999	$12 MM	$12 MM
1998	$11 MM	$11 MM
1997	$11 MM	$10 MM
1996	$10 MM	$9 MM
1995	$9 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$27 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2023	$27 MM	$7 MM
2022	$28 MM	$7 MM
2021	$27 MM	$7 MM
2020	$28 MM	$7 MM
2019	$25 MM	$7 MM
2018	$24 MM	$29 MM
2017	$23 MM	$24 MM
2016	$25 MM	$23 MM
2015	$22 MM	$18 MM
2014	$20 MM	$21 MM
2012	$23 MM	$19 MM
2011	$22 MM	$19 MM
2010	$22 MM	$18 MM
2009	$17 MM	$18 MM
2008	$17 MM	$19 MM
2007	$16 MM	$18 MM
2006	$18 MM	$17 MM
2005	$16 MM	$16 MM
2004	$17 MM	$17 MM
2003	$18 MM	$15 MM
2002	$17 MM	$16 MM
2001	$17 MM	$14 MM
2000	$14 MM	$13 MM
1999	$11 MM	$11 MM
1998	$10 MM	$11 MM
1997	$10 MM	$10 MM
1996	$10 MM	$8 MM
1995	$10 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$19,695

$20,100

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2023	$18,777	$15,607
2022	$17,586	$14,213
2021	$20,485	$15,669
2020	$17,586	$14,213
2019	$17,200	$14,063
2018	$8,847	$16,033
2017	$6,027	$16,692
2016	$6,942	$15,604
2015	$5,835	$10,238
2014	$6,450	$11,786
2012	$9,220	$11,929
2011	$8,874	$11,681
2010	$8,739	$10,238
2009	$11,145	$11,099
2008	$11,467	$11,762
2007	$10,262	$11,879
2006	$9,549	$10,859
2005	$10,215	$10,445
2004	$9,546	$10,566
2003	$10,203	$10,456
2002	$8,905	$9,803
2001	$8,701	$10,568
2000	$7,433	$8,943
1999	$6,468	$8,203
1998	$6,078	$7,395
1997	$5,921	$6,922
1995	$5,002	$5,953
1992	$5,088	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$15,502

$18,511

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Mountain Empire Unified School District	California
2023	$14,779	$13,914
2022	$16,364	$13,602
2021	$16,123	$13,970
2020	$16,364	$13,602
2019	$14,711	$13,522
2018	$7,689	$16,124
2017	$5,390	$15,588
2016	$6,781	$14,779
2015	$6,033	$10,739
2014	$5,547	$11,804
2012	$8,464	$12,155
2011	$8,141	$11,509
2010	$9,036	$10,739
2009	$10,195	$10,975
2008	$10,425	$11,678
2007	$9,064	$11,317
2006	$10,266	$10,926
2005	$8,908	$10,789
2004	$9,172	$11,073
2003	$9,947	$10,210
2002	$9,048	$10,600
2001	$9,244	$10,007
2000	$7,972	$9,131
1999	$6,217	$7,911
1998	$5,706	$7,592
1997	$5,806	$6,759
1995	$5,147	$6,033
1992	$5,746	$5,588

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Best Mountain Empire Unified School District Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Sunrise High (Continuation School)

Alternative School

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

7454 Pine Blvd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-8693

Gr: 9-12 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%

Rank: #22.

Hillside Junior/senior High School

Alternative School

(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

7454 Pine Blvd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-8693

Gr: 7-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%

Rank: #33.

Mountain Empire High School

(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

3305 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-8601

Gr: 9-12 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 70%

Rank: n/an/a

Cottonwood Community Day

Alternative School

Add to Compare

3291 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-8693

Gr: 7-12

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 10 schools
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 1,738 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Minority Enrollment: 74%
: 70% (Btm 50% in CA)
: Bottom 50%
: 17% (Btm 50%)
: 29% (Btm 50%)
: 16% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education