2024 Best High Schools in the San Diego Area

• La Jolla, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  104 reviews

Freshman: Having relocated last year to San Diego from out of state, we were delighted to find a school that was aligned with our desires for our daughter's education as well as our family's values - The Bishop's School fit the bill! Our then 8th grade daughter was welcomed into the community and really enjoyed her new school. Now in her 2nd year, she was very excited for school to start. The community is racially diverse, quite socio-economically diverse and although parochial, students and faculty of all faiths/no faith are represented and respected. Academically, our daughter found the curriculum to be at pace with her previous school but did have some difficulty adapting to her enriched mathematics class due to the "Harkness-Exeter" teaching method. In hindsight, we wish we would have researched this method better so our daughter would have been better prepared but ultimately, she transferred to a math class that employs a more traditional approach to teaching and is now succeeding.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 800

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  94 reviews

Works Here: I have never worked in a place that so clearly lives its mission. Francis Parker School invests in students at every level, from the amazing faculty who challenge students in the classroom, to the support staff who come alongside students as they grow and develop as people, to the dining staff who makes the unbelievable lunches each day - Parker really does care for the whole student. And as staff, we feel it too. This is a great place to work, and a great place to send your student!... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,312

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• La Jolla, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  161 reviews

Parent: Finishing up our first year at LJCDS and we love it! Our child (2nd grade) has quickly made new friends and we have met an incredible group of parents, faculty and staff. The strength of this school is how well it builds a sense of community through its character-building curriculum, events and good communication - which makes it a wonderful learning environment. Our child loves going to school! Students at LJCDS are given a robust well-rounded education that supports their curious minds and helps them learn how to be great students and citizens. At school, our child is surrounded by a wonderful diverse group of bright kids, many speak 2 or more languages and are talented in academics, sports and the arts. The campus has a real buzz of hope and joy, and I highly encourage folks to visit and see for themselves. If you are searching for an academically challenging school, with a fantastic arts program, and warm, welcoming, grounded parent community, I absolutely recommend LJCDS!... Read 161 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,157

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Carlsbad, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  152 reviews

Senior: Pacific Ridge School really pushed me to be the best student, leader, and person I could be. My teachers were very nice and cared about me and my success in the classroom and outside. If I didn't understand something, they always had time to help me go through it till I understood it. At PRS I have had mostly amazing teachers! Other highlights include global travel. I have gone to places I have never imagined I would ever go like D.C, Yosemite, Peru, Ghana and Togo. Through the global travel program I have learned about other cultures and history, done community service, and opened my eyes to a whole new world and different perspectives. I am also grateful for the abundance of groups and extracurriculars you can get involved in on campus. I was able to be a leader and creator of many groups which I believe made me stand out in my college applications. One thing that can improve is to add more diversity at the school and have more time for us to meet in affinity groups.... Read 152 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 685

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.9 out of 5  49 reviews

Alum: As a student who has experienced Cambridge from the beginning of Kindergarten Prep to throwing up my cap at graduation, I can firmly say that Cambridge as a community of faith, living, and learning has been an experience that has helped me develop not just academically, but also socially and spiritually. Each and every faculty member truly believes in Cambridge's mission and vision, and is more than willing to go above and beyond the textbooks and PowerPoints to help each student learn not just what the answers are, but why they are true and how to approach similar questions. Every class becomes integrated with others, whether it be memorizing the history of the world through learning songs during the elementary grades to studying the life of Isaac Newton and his studies while tackling calculus in highschool. The curriculum is purposefully challenging and thought-provoking, with the results being well worth it.... Read 49 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 392

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• San Dieguito Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  639 reviews

Sophomore: I am now becoming a sophomore at this school. I believe that this school is perfect for more academically oriented people who are willing to challenge themselves. Because the scheduling is double the speed as other schools, it can be difficult for some to adjust to the fast-paced learning and homework load. However, the teachers are very professional/great at teaching, and the community is very supportive of each other. I would argue that the school does not have as much school spirit as other nearby schools, but I have yet to experience anything bad yet! There are also conservatories at our school, something unique to only CCA. The arts/film/dance conservatories are amazing and quite well-funded.... Read 639 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,346

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• San Dieguito Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  489 reviews

Alum: My experience with Torrey Pines was really quite wonderful. I started attending Torrey Pines during COVID which I'm sure detracted from the experience and still have good things to say. Their math department is awesome! I was able to take linear algebra and a project based course in Mathematica both taught by an excellent teacher. Both for SDSU credit I might add. They have a lot of extracurricular opportunities as well. Their sports program is strong as well the coaches are excellent.... Read 489 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,649

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Diego Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  47 reviews

Senior: Mt. Everest Academy is an exceptional school that offers a unique learning experience for each student. The teachers and faculty at Mt. Everest are very caring and truly look out for the students best interest. Being that Mt. Everest Academy is an alternative, independent study school, working in that environment provides the students with better time management and communication skills than at your typical high school. In a way you get that college experience of having different classes on different days and times; having to balance your class time, homework, and extracurricular schedules is all a part of it. That might seem intimidating to some but fortunately you still have the guidance and help from teachers and counselor who will help you make the best decisions for your goals and needs. At Mt. Everest Academy, you have the opportunity to make a connection with each of your teachers, which adds to the overall experience. Enroll at Mt. Everest Academy, you won’t regret it!... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 227

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  704 reviews

Senior: Westview High School is a great school! The faculty and staff are all very dedicated and caring, and they go above and beyond to support their students. The academic programs are top-notch, and there are a wide variety of extracurricular activities to get involved in. The campus is clean, and there are plenty of resources available for students to succeed. One of the things I appreciated most about Westview was the strong sense of community. There was a real feeling of belonging and support among the student body, and I made some great friendships during my time there. The school also has a diverse student population, which added to the richness of the experience. One area where Westview could improve is in terms of facilities. While the classrooms and labs are well-equipped, some of the athletic facilities are outdated and in need of renovation. However, this is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things. Overall, Westview is an excellent school to learn and grow!... Read 704 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,351

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Encinitas, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.82 out of 5  56 reviews

Parent: My daughter just graduated from middle school at Grauer and we have nothing but positive things to say about the school. We chose it mainly because of the caring atmosphere and multiple expeditions (2 weeks each year included in tuition) but were really impressed with the quality of the academics and sports. We knew Grauer had a great reputation for arts and that was definitely true. My daughter went from never having sung in public to singing solos in front of the entire school! Terrific teachers who love what they do and give the kids the confidence to try anything.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 160

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• La Jolla, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  316 reviews

Sophomore: This is a really great school! I am currently a sophomore and have had many great experiences. Although we aren’t widely known for our sports, we do offer a variety such as soccer, basketball, golf, etc. Preuss does provide more academically; they provide more advanced classes and prepare students for college. Since Preuss has a smaller population of students, it allows teachers to focus and actually help out students. All teachers are more than willing to help if needed. Also, the Preuss community is very open and active. There are a variety of clubs which put on multiple events for the school. If you are looking for an academically friendly school with a friendly community, the Preuss School UCSD is the school for you!... Read 316 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 853

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• La Mesa, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  852 reviews

Senior: I love Helix for the school spirit, the many many club opportunities, the diversity if you are someone who wants a school they can be proud of sports wise then helix is the school for you! Helix has gotten more strict this past year which while being good can also be damaging students should feel like their school is a place to lift them up and help then learn rather than a little mini jail. Helix also needs their actions to follow their words for a no bully zone and a mental health in the same place many of my peers and I have felt unsafe or unheard with our mental differences.... Read 852 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,462

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  442 reviews

Parent: This is a top-notch public school with high academic expectations and caring staff. The extracurricular options really provide something for everyone. It's a large school so it's essential for kids to find a niche that relates to their interests and passions, so they don't get lost in the crowd. The campus and neighborhood is beautiful and we feel so lucky to send our kids here. They will absolutely be prepared for college, career, and life beyond!... Read 442 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,586

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  277 reviews

Parent: This is one of those amazing Catholic schools that stands out far above the rest. The community is incredibly supportive, faith-filled, welcoming and comfortable for all. Catholic/Christian values are not compromised and are consistently weaved in among all that happens through out the day. The administration successfully handles all the challenges facing our teenagers today. The faculty is full of alumni, parents of alumni, and teachers who are vested in the success and happiness of their students. The academics are rigorous but there are a variety of paths to choose from. The sports programs are excellent but you don't have to play a sport here to feel a part of the enormous school spirit. Students and faculty are proud and thankful to be at Cathedral. This school is an uplifting place for your kids to be each day. My daughters are thriving here; socially and academically and athletically. We couldn't be happier about where they are spending the majority of their time each day.... Read 277 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,640

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Carlsbad Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  89 reviews

Alum: I loved Sage creek! This school is great for many things and the first and most profound to me was the family of inclusivity and family. The admin on compute weren’t just there to watch and teach us, they genuinely wanted to know the students and be there for them when needed. You could reach out to your teachers if you were struggling or overwhelmed and they would help get you back on track which is very important for high school students. Sage creek was also great with their class sizes since it was a small school of only a maximum of 1500. We had one on one interaction with our teachers and plenty of time to ask questions. We also had all of the equipment or supplies we needed in order to get a full education.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,451

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  31 reviews

Parent: So far we have had a great experience at SDJA after our child's first year in the Lower School. All of the families in the class have become close and include a diverse cross section of the Jewish community. At a party hosted by one of the parents, the teacher was invited, and the kids swarmed around her like she was a celebrity. Regarding the review and hearing some other people's experience about not having a Jewish mother was a source of concern going in. I can say so far that I have seen no signs of this, and my atheist non-Jewish wife has been fully embraced by the other mothers in the class whom she considers good friends. My own father is not Jewish, so I am sensitive to these issues. My daughter loves the Jewish content - something we never pushed on her. It is a beautiful sight seeing these kids of such diverse Jewish backgrounds singing together at Shabbat. Hopefully, the next year will go as well.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 569

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Coronado Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  261 reviews

Senior: Teachers are amazing and friendly, however the administration tends to make decisions without consulting the student and staff body, which has led to several awkward limbo periods that are hard for both students and teachers. In addition, the 4x4 schedule implemented in late 2021 makes it near impossible for the average student to take AP tests, as they will have to be worrying about reviewing for the test while they are taking other classes that are completely unrelated to the class they are taking the test for. For the most part, the student body is friendly and welcoming to all, although most (myself included) lack school spirit. It is also an amazing school for those interested in the arts, although there are still some kinks that need to be worked out in that department.... Read 261 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,051

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  23 reviews

Parent: Our family discovered Waldorf when our daughter was in High School - but I wish my kids had the opportunity to start when they were little! It’s not just a school for us but a thriving, inclusive community. We've had an outstanding experience with my high school student- who started high school after attending public schools from Kinder. She’s now getting ready for college and has done very well on the SAT and feels prepared. The teachers are truly invested in developing lifelong learners and give every student personal attention. The students themselves are incredibly confident and inquisitive and very accepting of new students. My child has blossomed under the care of Waldorf. She thought she wasn’t a “math student” but is now loving calculus! Can’t say enough good things!... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 273

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Grossmont Union High School District, CA•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  146 reviews

Junior: Grossmont Middle College High school is an excellent program that allows students to dual enroll in both high school and college courses. I am currently a junior in high school, doubling as a freshman college! I plan on getting my associates degree by the time I graduate my high school classes, and have been greatly exposed to various college opportunities. This school does an amazing job at preparing students for a 4-year university, and I am so happy I am able to attend it! This program is perfect for hard working, driven students who hope to get ahead!... Read 146 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 66

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  400 reviews

Alum: Loved attending Mt. Carmel High School! The school has a great emphasis on school spirit. Very well rounded school that offers sport, music, and a wide variety of electives and our band is rated #1 in California. Being involved in music and/or sports makes a huge difference in our high school experience and I had great memories because of my involvement.... Read 400 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,857

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  281 reviews

Alum: They provide a great education. I enjoyed the all-girls aspect because it really helped me build my confidence + self-esteem as a woman and gave me the necessary tools I need to succeed in college and beyond. I really grew as a person during my time at OLP and developed many lifelong friendships. I am happy that I took advantage of the many opportunities this school provided me, like leadership positions and volunteer opportunities, as it helped me when I applied for college. Something I'd like to see improved on is student-to-administration communication and transparency when it comes to issues that impact/involve students.... Read 281 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 750

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Rancho Santa Fe, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.93 out of 5  15 reviews

Parent: HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Hand-picked teachers who LOVE to teach and care about their students. They create a warm and excepting environment to learn at the students own pace, but challenging them along the way with a vigorous HS curriculum. Classes are engaging and small class size allows for lots of individual attention. Teachers are organized, prepared, (whether in person or online) provide lots of feedback to parents with students progress, and are flexible to offer needed accommodations. Teachers go by first name, a feeling of “family” but run class with structure and clear communications about assignments, and high student expectations. High Bluff transitioned to all online within days of the pandemic lock down. They have now implemented Microsoft Teams for a integrated and rich online learning environment or choose in class in person instead. Workload is very relevant & reasonable, no homework on vacations or late nights during the week. My son loves school and his teachers!... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 42

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• San Diego Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  648 reviews

Alum: I had a very positive experience as a student at SRHS. Especially given the challenges brought by Covid and remote learning, I always felt very supported by my teachers both in an academic sense and concerning mental wellbeing. I certainly felt encouraged to engage with challenging coursework, balanced with social events (ie sports, clubs, dances, fundraisers) that made my high school experience memorable and ultimately prepared me for success in the college application process. In the future, I would hope that they improve/change their method of disseminating event info by perhaps sending an email to all students rather than posting it on Instagram.... Read 648 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,950

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• San Dieguito Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  509 reviews

Senior: SDA is well-known for its emphasis on the arts. Everyone should know that it is also a safe place for expression and the best college preparation. I feel that each teacher has a passion for their job and succeeds encouraging their students. There are also several accessible resources for the students whether it be academic assistance or mental health services. Additionally, I have taken the time to join my peers in community service, school events, and recreational activities; all students are generally accepting and friendly toward each other and our campus culture is diverse and exciting. I’m grateful to have quickly made friends despite online school freshman year and am proud to be graduating from such a fine institution. I just wish I wouldn’t have to leave so early in the morning to get parking.... Read 509 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,145

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Escondido, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  203 reviews

Sophomore: ECHS has one of the most rigorous curriculum that emphasizes strong language skills, develops critical thinking capabilities, and enhances problem-solving faculties. This public school has different learning options that students can take. The athletics department have improved since 2019. For example, last school year, the softball team won the CIF San Diego Section Playoffs for Division 5, making history as the first ever CIF playoff win title in school history. The football team has had three consecutive Pacific League wins. There is so much history that is made in our athletic department and academics department. I honestly think that the dress code shouldn't be allowed. The school has a strict dress code. I wish our school didn't have Senior exhibition. Seniors have to do a presentation on a topic they chose and present in front of a panel of judges. If students don't pass, they won't walk during the graduation ceremony.... Read 203 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 940

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1