Public School Review - Established 2003

Best San Diego County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 192 public high schools serving 179,413 students in San Diego County, CA.
The top-ranked public high schools in San Diego County, CA are Canyon Crest Academy, Mt. Everest Academy and Westview High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
San Diego County, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in San Diego County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public high schools.
San Diego County, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Canyon Crest Academy, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in San Diego County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Canyon Crest Academy
(Math: 85% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5951 Village Center Loop Rd.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(858) 350-0253
Gr: 9-12 | 2,147 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #22.
Mt. Everest Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
Gr: K-12 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Westview High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
13500 Camino Del Sur
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 780-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,116 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #44.
Del Norte High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
16601 Nighthawk Ln.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-0877
Gr: 9-12 | 2,557 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #55.
Rancho Bernardo High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
13010 Paseo Lucido
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 485-4800
Gr: 9-12 | 2,210 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #66.
Sage Creek High School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3900 Bobcat Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,289 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #77.
Scripps Ranch High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10410 Falcon Way
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 302-3400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,890 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
Helix High School
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7323 University Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 644-1940
Gr: 9-12 | 2,554 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #99.
Mission Vista High School
Alternative School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1306 Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,670 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1010.
Coronado High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
650 D Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-8907
Gr: 9-12 | 999 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1111.
Torrey Pines High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3710 Del Mar Heights Rd.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(858) 755-0125
Gr: 9-12 | 2,536 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
River Valley Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9707 1/2 Marilla Dr.
Lakeside, CA 92040
(619) 390-2579
Gr: 7-12 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1313.
La Jolla High School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
750 Nautilus St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 634-8000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,174 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1414.
Mt. Carmel High School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9550 Carmel Mountain Rd.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-1180
Gr: 9-12 | 1,800 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1515.
Grossmont Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7524
Gr: 11-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1616.
University City High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6949 Genesee Ave.
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 605-2800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,465 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
San Dieguito High School Academy
(Math: 54% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
800 Santa Fe Dr.
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 753-1121
Gr: 9-12 | 1,843 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1818.
Eastlake High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1120 Eastlake Pkwy.
Chula Vista, CA 91915
(619) 397-3800
Gr: 9-12 | 2,557 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1919.
Mira Mesa High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10510 Marauder Way
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 566-2262
Gr: 9-12 | 2,187 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2020.
Classical Academy High School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
207 East Pennsylvania Ave.
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 480-9845
Gr: 9-12 | 1,336 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2121.
Carlsbad Seaside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5200
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2222.
Mountain Valley Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1010 Ramona St.
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 787-3600
Gr: K-12 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2323.
Literacy First Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
799 East Washington Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 579-7232
Gr: K-12 | 2,160 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2424.
Poway High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
15500 Espola Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-0245
Gr: 9-12 | 2,101 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2525.
High Tech High North County
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1420 San Marcos Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92106
(760) 759-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2626.
Carlsbad High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3557 Lancer Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 331-5100
Gr: 9-12 | 2,336 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2727.
Henry High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6702 Wandermere Dr.
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 286-7700
Gr: 9-12 | 2,485 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2828.
Steele Canyon High School
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12440 Campo Rd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978
(619) 660-3550
Gr: 9-12 | 2,198 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2929.
Santana High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
9915 North Magnolia Ave.
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 956-0211
Gr: 9-12 | 1,621 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3030.
Olympian High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1925 Magdalena Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91913
(619) 656-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,289 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #3131.
Coastal Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4096 Calle Platino
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 631-4020
Gr: K-12 | 2,015 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3232.
La Costa Canyon High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 Maverick Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 436-6136
Gr: 9-12 | 1,774 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #3333.
Otay Ranch Senior High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1250 Olympic Pkwy.
Chula Vista, CA 91913
(619) 591-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,440 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #3434.
Greater San Diego Academy
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
14545 Lyons Valley Rd.
Jamul, CA 91935
(619) 669-3050
Gr: K-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3535.
Kearny Eng Innov & Design
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1954 Komet Way
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 221-5300
Gr: 9-12 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Show 100 more public schools in San Diego County, CA (out of 192 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in San Diego County, CA?
The top-ranked public high schools in San Diego County, CA include Canyon Crest Academy, Mt. Everest Academy and Westview High School.
How many public high schools are located in San Diego County?
195 public high schools are located in San Diego County.
What is the racial composition of students in San Diego County?
San Diego County public high schools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in San Diego County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
 What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?

More Articles

Public School Policies
Parenting and Learning Issues
Local School Topics
Evaluating Public Schools
Scholarships