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San Diego County

California · Public K-12

San Diego County reports 766 public K-12 schools to NCES, against a population of 3,288,774, with an average school size of 610 students. The level mix is 469 elementary, 105 middle, and 142 high schools.

7-year change in San Diego County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
466,146
-37,341 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
744
-10 (-1%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
28%
was 30%
% Hispanic
49%
was 48%
% Black
4%
was 5%
% Asian
11%
was 10%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
766
162 districts
Enrollment
467,437
NCES CCD
Median income
$106,268
Above California avg
Free/reduced lunch
53.8%
Below California avg
Elementary
469
216,922 students
Middle
105
73,784 students
High
142
140,617 students
Combined / other
50
36,114 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
San Diego Unified
94,828 students · 162 districts in San Diego County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of San Diego County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
48%
Hispanic
35%
Black
5%
Asian
12%
Two or more
21%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
27%
Hispanic
49%
Black
4%
Asian
11%
Two or more
8%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
43.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.1%
civilian labor
Median age
37
20.9% under 18

Test scores in San Diego County

Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 559 schools ranked. California state average: 47.6%.

Top 5 schools (ELA)
  1. Westview High· 92.0%
  2. Canyon Crest Academy· 91.9%
  3. Poinsettia Elementary· 89.7%
  4. Ocean Air· 89.1%
  5. Sage Canyon· 88.5%

See all 559 schools in San Diego County ranked by score →

All schools (766)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Lewis MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-081,013·
Coronado HighCoronadoHigh09-12999·
Aviara Oaks MiddleCarlsbadMiddle06-08991·
Naranca ElementaryEl CajonElementaryKG-06985·
Pershing MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08980·
Bonita Vista MiddleChula VistaMiddle07-08972·
Meadowbrook MiddlePowayMiddle06-08972·
Pacific Trails MiddleSan DiegoMiddle07-08971·
San Marcos MiddleSan MarcosMiddle06-08968·
Challenger MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08960·
Wolf Canyon ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06954·
Bonsall ElementaryBonsallElementaryKG-05949·
Discovery CharterChula VistaElementaryKG-08945·
Cajon Valley MiddleEl CajonMiddle06-08942·
Escondido Charter HighEscondidoHigh09-12932·
Montgomery MiddleEl CajonMiddle06-08929·
Bear Valley MiddleEscondidoMiddle06-08923·
Rio Seco ElementarySanteeElementaryKG-08913·
Arroyo Vista CharterChula VistaElementaryKG-08911·
Parkway Sports and Health Science AcademyLa MesaMiddle06-08897·
Del Sur ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05891·
Camarena (Enrique S.) ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06889·
Richland ElementarySan MarcosElementaryKG-05883·
Lexington ElementaryEl CajonElementaryKG-05878·
La Mirada AcademySan MarcosElementaryKG-08868·
Hilltop MiddleChula VistaMiddle07-08866·
Roosevelt MiddleOceansideMiddle06-08866·
Chaparral ElementaryPowayElementaryKG-05858·
Hedenkamp (Anne and William) ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06855·
Mission MiddleEscondidoMiddle06-08855·
Vista Magnet Middle School of Technology Science and MathVistaMiddle06-08836·
Salt Creek ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06835·
San Elijo ElementarySan MarcosElementaryKG-05834·
Vista Innovation and Design AcademyVistaMiddle06-08834·
Muraoka (Saburo) ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06832·
Veterans ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06832·
Westwood ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05832·
Cajon Park ElementarySanteeElementaryKG-08830·
James E. Potter IntermediateFallbrookMiddle07-08828·
Preuss School UCSDLa JollaHigh06-12825·
Carlton Oaks ElementarySanteeElementaryKG-08823·
Clairemont HighSan DiegoHigh09-12823·
Zamorano ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05823·
Mary Fay Pendleton ElementaryOceansideElementaryKG-08820·
Standley MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08813·
Valley MiddleCarlsbadMiddle06-08807·
Sci Tech Engr Arts and Math Acad at La PresaSpring ValleyMiddle05-08800·
Community MontessoriEscondidoElementaryKG-08795·
Del Dios Academy of Arts and SciencesEscondidoMiddle06-08788·
Madison HighSan DiegoHigh09-12780·
Coronado Village ElementaryCoronadoElementaryKG-05774·
Rincon MiddleEscondidoMiddle06-08772·
North Terrace ElementaryOceansideElementaryKG-08771·
Monterey Ridge ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05770·
Johnson ElementaryEl CajonElementaryKG-05766·
Valley Center MiddleValley CenterMiddle06-08766·
Del Lago Academy - Campus of Applied ScienceEscondidoHigh09-12765·
Lauderbach (J. Calvin) ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06763·
Roosevelt International MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08760·
Oak Crest MiddleEncinitasMiddle07-08758·
Paloma ElementarySan MarcosElementaryKG-05758·
Chase Avenue ElementaryEl CajonElementaryKG-06757·
Louise Foussat ElementaryOceansideElementaryKG-05755·
Casita Center for Science/Math/TechnologyVistaElementaryKG-05744·
Grant K-8San DiegoElementaryKG-08743·
Breeze Hill ElementaryVistaElementaryKG-05742·
Flying Hills School of ArtsEl CajonElementaryKG-08742·
Muirlands MiddleLa JollaMiddle06-08742·
Vista Academy of Visual and Performing ArtsVistaElementaryKG-05740·
Diegueno MiddleEncinitasMiddle07-08737·
Montgomery MiddleSan DiegoMiddle07-08734·
Hidden Valley MiddleEscondidoMiddle06-08733·
Scripps ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05733·
Heritage ElementaryChula VistaElementaryKG-06732·
Jonas Salk ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05732·
Grapevine ElementaryVistaElementaryKG-05730·
Greenfield MiddleEl CajonMiddle06-08730·
Longfellow UTK-8San DiegoElementaryKG-08726·
Carrillo ElementaryCarlsbadElementaryKG-05725·
Knob Hill ElementarySan MarcosElementaryKG-05725·
La Costa Meadows ElementaryCarlsbadElementaryKG-05725·
Granger Junior HighNational CityMiddle07-09724·
Imperial Beach CharterImperial BeachElementaryKG-08724·
Lakeside MiddleLakesideMiddle06-08724·
Jerabek ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05718·
Discovery ElementarySan MarcosElementaryKG-05717·
L. R. Green ElementaryEscondidoElementaryKG-05717·
Live Oak ElementaryFallbrookElementaryKG-06717·
Pacific Beach MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08715·
Tierra del Sol MiddleLakesideMiddle06-08713·
Wilson MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08712·
National City MiddleNational CityMiddle07-08709·
Empresa ElementaryOceansideElementaryKG-05705·
Rosa Parks ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05705·
Castle Park MiddleChula VistaMiddle07-08703·
Magnolia ElementaryEl CajonElementaryKG-05703·
Wangenheim MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08703·
Marston MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08702·
Willow Grove ElementarySan DiegoElementaryKG-05701·
Bell MiddleSan DiegoMiddle06-08700·

Cities in San Diego County

San Diego286 schoolsChula Vista70 schoolsEl Cajon45 schoolsEscondido39 schoolsOceanside39 schoolsVista28 schoolsCarlsbad23 schoolsSan Marcos22 schoolsLa Mesa16 schoolsNational City16 schoolsSpring Valley16 schoolsLakeside13 schoolsPoway13 schoolsFallbrook12 schoolsSantee12 schoolsEncinitas11 schoolsRamona11 schoolsValley Center9 schoolsImperial Beach8 schoolsPine Valley8 schoolsLemon Grove7 schoolsAlpine6 schoolsLa Jolla6 schoolsSan Ysidro6 schoolsCoronado5 schoolsJulian5 schoolsBonita3 schoolsBonsall3 schoolsBorrego Springs3 schoolsJamul3 schoolsRancho Santa Fe3 schoolsSolana Beach3 schoolsWarner Springs3 schoolsCardiff-By-The-Sea2 schoolsDel Mar2 schoolsBoulevard1 schoolCampo1 schoolDescanso1 schoolPala1 schoolPauma Valley1 schoolPotrero1 schoolRainbow1 schoolSan Clemente1 schoolSanta Ysabel1 school

About San Diego County

Across the population-heavy California county of San Diego County of about 3,288,774 residents, the public-school footprint covers 766 schools and about 467,437 students.

In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $106,268, about 43% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 7%. That income level is 19% noticeably above the California median.

For a sense of the school types, San Diego County consists of 469 elementary schools (216,922 students), 105 middle schools (73,784), 142 high schools (140,617), and 50 combined or other schools.

San Diego Unified dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 94,828 students on its own.

Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 466,146 students, shrank 7% from the 503,487 reported in SY 2017-18. The school count fell from 754 to 744 across the same 7-year window.

In the discussion threads here, the community for San Diego County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve San Diego County?
There are 766 public K-12 schools in San Diego County, California, with a combined enrollment of about 467,437.
How many high schools are in San Diego County?
San Diego County, California has 142 public high schools, serving approximately 140,617 students.
How many middle schools are in San Diego County?
San Diego County, California has 105 public middle schools, serving approximately 73,784 students.
How many elementary schools are in San Diego County?
San Diego County, California has 469 public elementary schools, serving approximately 216,922 students.
What is the largest school district in San Diego County?
San Diego Unified is the largest school district in San Diego County, serving approximately 94,828 students. The county contains 162 school districts overall.
What is the population of San Diego County?
San Diego County, California has a population of approximately 3,288,774, with a median age of 37. About 20.9% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in San Diego County?
Median household income in San Diego County is $106,268, above the California average of $89,387. About 6.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of San Diego County?
Approximately 43.2% of adults 25 and older in San Diego County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in San Diego County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 53.8% of students in San Diego County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the California county average of 60.6%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in San Diego County schools?
Across San Diego County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 22.9 to 1.

San Diego County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data