2023 Best Public High Schools in the San Diego Area

• San Dieguito Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  625 reviews

Parent: CCA is big, with 600+ graduating class, so do not expect the individual attention bestowed to every student as you would expect from a private school with 100+ graduating class. CCA is exceptionally strong at STEM. CCA students routinely garner national awards in the STEM fields. Athletics is also excellent given that this is an academics-oriented school (tennis comes to mind but no football, which may be a good thing). Envision Conservatory is a unique program giving an outlet to students who prefer to pursue arts and humanities rather than sports during after school time. Just like anywhere else, students developing extraordinary talent in a specific field need to work outside (often independently) of the school-sponsored activities. Counseling can be challenging, so making a good connection with the counselor(s) early is key. Overall, CCA is the flagship public high school in the county of San Diego.... Read 625 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,503

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• San Dieguito Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  481 reviews

Freshman: Most teachers are really kind and supportive but some are very unprofessional and talk bad about other school programs and teachers.... Read 481 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,547

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  696 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 While the classrooms and labs are well-equipped, some of the athletic facilities are outdated and in need of renovation.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 696 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,395

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  427 reviews

Senior: Really great school overall! Only negative thing about it is the academic pressure. We have a ton of great programs that allow you to study what you're interested in, but there's some stigma around AP courses and it's easy to feel left out or not smart enough if you're not taking a ton of APs. Academics are rigorous and fast-paced, but it makes it super easy to get all of the required graduation credits and have time for fun electives as well.... Read 427 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,481

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• San Diego Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  44 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 44 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 291

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Carlsbad Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  81 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 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,379

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Coronado Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  260 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 260 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,075

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  395 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 395 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,888

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• La Mesa, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  829 reviews

Junior: Helix has provided me a great high school experience. From the immense support I am given from my teachers and academic advisors to the various amount of clubs and activities available. I am currently a junior and ever since I was a freshman, I have been thouroughly supported and uplifted academically. There are tutorials after schools where a student can meet one-on-one with teachers, clubs before school and after school which tutor students, and one can even choose an academic support class to be put in their schedule. In addition, mental health is of great importance to our school. There are plenty of resources and people we can reach out to should we ever struggle mentally. However when it comes to sports, there can be room for improvements at Helix. It has been noticed by many students that the coaches play the "favorites" card a lot of the time. This is not very inclusive and I would like to see this change so that all players have equal opportunities.... Read 829 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,469

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• La Jolla, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  303 reviews

Senior: My experience here at Preuss has been fantastic. The school provides opportunities for students to participate in many activities after school too and prepare them for university! I also feel like this is a safe space for me and ask teachers for help; teachers here at Preuss really want students to succeed. As a first-gen student, Preuss has done their best to guide me for what to do when applying for universities as a senior and makes sure that all students are on track! Through it's rigorous curriculum, all of these are established this way to make it easier for students by their senior year without having to worry much if they're meeting all the requisites when applying to universities. Student's can view that handwork is paying off in the end.... Read 303 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 848

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Dieguito Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  497 reviews

Senior: This is such a great High School! It doesn't fit into the traditional mold of a High School, so if you're artsy, or creative, or not into sports, this is a terrific option. Great academics, terrific vibe, solid sports for those who want it, and a great social scene. I can't imagine having gone anywhere else for my high school education, and this school has helped me pursue my true passions!... Read 497 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,059

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Diego Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  637 reviews

Alum: Scripps Ranch High School was a very wonderful experience that had plenty of facets to that I could apply myself. The academics section was fulfilled by the supportive environment of staff and educators who offered plenty of opportunities for educational growth and support for academic achievement. There was a wide variety of programs that I could join, through varieties of sports, clubs, and resources. Overall I felt safe, invited, supported, and engaged in the school community. Furthermore, the administration was very helpful and involved in our college readiness, as they spent time going over helpful steps for preparedness for college and guiding us in academic paths that were conducive to success. The only things that I can think of that need improvement is the students' attitude toward school culture as there was sometimes a disconnect. Second, the food was not bad. Regardless of this, my experience at this school is invaluable and I would not trade it for any other experience.... Read 637 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,050

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  576 reviews

Senior: I made a lot of friends through every activity I joined, got to get out of my comfort zone and explore the whole high school experience I wanted. I made a lot of memories, positive and negative ones that changed me as a person throughout my 4 years at RB. The people at RB are mostly all good and the staff is pretty good at keeping the students happy. The only thing I would change is overlooking ASB more clearly and making sure things are getting done. When I was in ASB there would be some things getting done, but if the whole class worked together, the school would be the best.... Read 576 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,408

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• Vista Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  561 reviews

Alum: As a Mission Vista High School alumni, I hold very fond memories of being a captain of the D1 field hockey team, being enrolled in the four-year biomedical course way, and being a vice president to Peer Leaders Uniting Students. The school's consistent and empathetic counseling team fostered my success day one of freshman year to graduation; especially when it came time to apply for college. The counseling center provided mental health support, scholarship resources, and working-student assistance. Every student could develop genuine friendships through sports, clubs, and collaborative class work. I cannot forgot the beloved janitor, Jaime, wearing his cowboy hat, joking with students during lunch, and honking his cart horn at every sporting event cheering us on.... Read 561 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,660

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Diego Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  512 reviews

Alum: Overall UCHS TEACHERS taught me a lot and i would always thank them for all the hard work and dedication they give to us the students. I also liked that I could trust my teachers and with almost anything. It felt good to study in an environment like that! I would like to change the way staff works and how sometimes they treat people. And also give those disadvantage kids more opportunities to play sports. And push kids to do them more often so that they follow a path that’s good for them!... Read 512 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,742

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Escondido, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  201 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 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 929

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• San Diego Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  314 reviews

Senior: I love my school! What I love most about it, is the teachers. They are very caring and make sure you will do good in their class. If you ask for help, you will definitely receive it. I would recommend the Biomedical program if you would like to go into or are interested in that field.... Read 314 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,320

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• San Dieguito Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  495 reviews

Senior: La Costa Canyon High school is an amazing school overall! The school spirit is great, very pretty and safe campus, super fun football games, theater department does an amazing job with their performances, I've had good experiences with teachers, and it is a wonderful community overall. Despite distance learning being a hardship to staff, teachers, and students, I believe LCC has done a great job with online classes and keeping students learning in the safety of their own homes. On the downside, there isn't a ton of diversity and the food is not the best. Other than that it is an amazing school and I really enjoyed my high school experience there!... Read 495 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,834

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Lakeside, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  104 reviews

Middle School Student: I have attended River Valley since 7th grade, and will be graduating this June 2022. Though significantly smaller than other schools, the community at River Valley has made my time there phenomenal. The teachers genuinely care about the students and are able to authentically get to know each student individually. The dedication that is cultivated by both the teachers and my peers has helped support my academic pursuits, and encourages honest and contagious learning. Being a hybrid program, I am extremely grateful for the skills that this has taught me. The program develops good time management, prioritization, and independence skills in the students -- all traits that will help better equip us for college. As it is a highly academic school, some of the changes I would suggest - and have been seeing already - would be more extracurricular activities. Despite being a small charter school, the impact that River Valley has had for junior high and high school students is immense.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 293

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Sweetwater Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  547 reviews

Alum: Overall, my experience at Olympian High was a positive experience. There was a strong academic focus and push for college. The main thing that I would like to see a change in is the diversity of after high school options, not just a focus on four year education but on trade schools and military options. Additionally, I wanted a broader selection of college knowledge, there was a strong focus on in-state schools and not really anything for out-state colleges. Even with these, I really enjoyed the focus that they put on academics and making sure that students could do various levels of subjects, though I would have liked to see more "real world" classes. Classes such as home ec, woodworking, etc. But the school, teachers, and community was overall great. Though I was not able to get a full high school experience due to COIVD impacting my senior year, the experiences and the opportunities I did have lead me to really enjoy most of the four years.... Read 547 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,347

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• 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 72

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Carlsbad Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  565 reviews

Senior: A great school. Not too heavily focused on academics, so you don't feel pressured to take a lot of heavy courses. I'd say it's pretty average, good competition, but you'll be fine if you just want to breeze through. Counselors are dedicated to making sure you graduate, and really help out with all of your concerns.... Read 565 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,318

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• San Marcos Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  575 reviews

Junior: The school offers a multitude of fascinating subjects and has plenty of teachers who truly care about their students and are clearly there for more than a paycheck. However, there have been a couple of teachers over the course of Tammy stay there who consistently performed poorly, yet the school refused to fire them. It is not clear whether these teachers had tenure, but even if they did, it is alarming that they received tenure with how incompetent they were. Aside from a few bad eggs, however, the rest of the school experience was welcoming and a proper environment for learning. Also, the counselors are great!... Read 575 reviews

• grade A

• Students 3,582

• Student-teacher ratio 30:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  543 reviews

Senior: The best part about Poway High School is the sports events, going to football games, dances, etc. The worst part about Poway High School is that there is a lack of discipline. I would change the disciplinary actions.... Read 543 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,251

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Sweetwater Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  766 reviews

Junior: Eastlake High School is a very welcoming and inclusive school! Upon arrival through those gates, each and every student becomes part of the Eastlake community that strives for excellence. The teachers, staff, and administration all work very hard to create a safe and positive atmosphere for students to thrive academically, socially, and mentally. One suggestion I would have is that Eastlake should try and do a better job of helping its students plan for the future. However, there are multiple opportunities for students to get involved in clubs, sports and other extracurriculars that suit them! Food is constantly being tailored to fit the requests of the students, and I find that transportation can be a big hassle sometimes. My overall experience at Eastlake High was very positive and I have made lifelong friendships within those walls. To all considering attending Eastlake High School and to future students, I say brace yourself for the most gratifying time of your lives!... Read 766 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,855

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1