2022 Best Public Schools in Pacific Beach

Preuss School UCSD

• Public School
• LA JOLLA, CA
• 6-12
• Rating 4.16 out of 5  288 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 288 Reviews

• grade A+

• 830 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

La Jolla High School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• Rating 3.61 out of 5  300 reviews

Junior: La Jolla High school has a friendly community with supportive teachers. The beach isn't far from the school so it's a nice place to hang out and relieve stress before or after school. At La Jolla High people tend to be cliquey but during class time everyone is usually friendly. Mostly everyone is very competitive so if you sign up for hard classes make sure that you are capable of them or else you might see yourself in trouble. Overall, La Jolla High is a nice place to be and enjoy your high school experience!...Read 300 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,331 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Old Town Academy K-8 Charter School

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• K-8

• grade A

• 265 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Magnolia Science Academy San Diego

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• 6-8
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My son wakes up early everyday and excited to go to Magnolia. He is in robotics and archery teams and loves them. School offers free tutoring and clubs after school. They also have a onsite library available for students after school. The teachers at Magnolia are very supportive and caring. I am glad we enrolled our son to Magnolia. We love Magnolia...Read 1 Review

• grade A

• 443 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

High Tech High School

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• 9-12
• Rating 4.04 out of 5  171 reviews

Senior: My experience at High Tech High School was awesome! I learned so much in so many projects I did. I got to be so creative in anything that we were doing every subject. Not every day do you see and learn that math is in the public eye wherever I go. Or even launch a weather balloon up in the air and get data from it. And even create our own colony in an exoplanet. Like everything we did was relevant in the real world. The staff at High Tech High treat the students like peers and I needed that as a graduating senior. I had so many resources out to me like being in the Elevate Program which is for low income, First-Generation, and young students. We had mentor meetings, had college essay help, SAT help, etc. I am so thankful for the staff who helped me to who I am today. To improve High Tech High, to keep creating mentorships for students that need it at HTH because having a person who's got your back is so helpful all the time. Like Senior and Freshman mentorships? That may work!...Read 171 Reviews

• grade A

• 503 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Barnard Elementary School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• K-6
• Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Parent: This is our first year at Barnard and it's been great! Imagine, Mandarin language immersion at a public school! The stuff I don't love (large class size, homework in kindergarten, no parking for a magnet school) are really district problems and not specific to Barnard Elementary. The staff are very energetic and involved. Love our school!...Read 1 Review

• grade A

• 552 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

La Jolla Elementary School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• K-5
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: La Jolla elementary was a truly wonderful school. The teachers are extremely dedicated, the principal is amenable to feedback, and the resources are vast, and the classes were engaging.Read 1 Review

• grade A

• 597 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The O'Farrell Charter School

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• K-12
• Rating 4.25 out of 5  92 reviews

Senior: The O'Farrell Charter School caters to low income families and provides financial and academic support. I, as a student, feel safe and I feel as though I am able to talk to my teachers regarding educational and even personal situations. They are very professional and the staff often asks us how we are doing and how the school can support us. However, there are times where I notice the differences the school shares with the local educational establishments nearby. Pre-Covid, the school enforced uniform and only allowed select days where students could dress freely, however, dress rules were strict. Moreover, the high school's schedule consist of long classes, about two hours where they are block schedules. Overall, the school benefits the schedules of both parents and students alike...Read 92 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,908 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

High Tech High Media Arts

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• 9-12
• Rating 3.74 out of 5  144 reviews

Senior: I loved that Media Arts makes an effort to choose teachers that are younger or older teachers who act younger to make the students have more trust towards the teacher, the school also chooses teacher not just on whether they are good at teaching but also teachers who care about their students learning. I love the environment where the staff is social and not just all about school but makes students feel as though the teachers care about them. The only thing I might not like too much about the school is a couple of students but overall the school, and teachers are great. My most favorite part about this school is how much freedom and trust the school gives to students and how the students respect that trust by not doing anything bad...Read 144 Reviews

• grade A

• 391 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bird Rock Elementary School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• grade A

• 437 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Muirlands Middle School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• Rating 2.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: This school has great academics, clubs, culture, and administration. The diversity is okay, definitely higher than average. Some teachers are life-changing and I will forever be indebted to them, and some made me cry. Teachers are granted a lot of leniencies. This school is rather safe. The food is quite unhealthy (ice cream cones, fudge brownies, pizza) but still fine. Some things are underfunded and some overfunded-the bathrooms are underfunded but P.E. equipment is top of the line. This is a good school and a positive learning environment, however-again, academics are outstanding. Teachers meet the needs of every student, and the school offers a variety of electives, and advanced English, History, and Math. The location is also quite safe-I walk home every day. I would recommend this school to anybody...Read 5 Reviews

• grade A

• 854 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Museum

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• K-8
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Ever since my daughters joined Museum I noticed so much more enthusiasm towards learning, towards attending in general.They're project-oriented learning style really clicks with the kids, and they seem to know so much about every subject. The staff holds events constantly, which keep the parents participating and aware of the things that happen day to day at school. ...Their building is not huge, it is not fancy, but what it lacks on modernism, it has it on commitment. We as a family are absolutely in love with this school and would not change it for any other in the SD Unified School District...Read 1 Review

• grade A

• 239 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

High Tech High International

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• 9-12
• Rating 3.89 out of 5  174 reviews

Senior: It was a school where I was accepted. I could be my TRUE, REAL, RAW self. Everyone didn't stick to the "norm" or "basics". Everyone had their own vibe, own style, own stigma and it wasn't judged. I could wear my bright, blue fur jacket and stroll the halls without being embarrassed and instead, very bubbly and confident. To make it better, not only did I not have to worry about being my true self, but I also had no worries when it came to school work. Everything at High Tech High International is very organized, helpful and simple. It teaches exactly what benefits us as students ad gets us prepared for our future. We get the privilege of doing college field trips, internships for a whole month and a week off to explore different activities. It's a school full of adventure, self assurance and strength!...Read 174 Reviews

• grade A

• 382 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Kavod Charter School

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• K-7
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: The BEST OF THE BEST educational enrichment program in San Diego! For three years, Kavod has been a second family to our son. With their hands on approach, the seasoned administration and staff have armored our son with knowledge, character, social skills, and self-esteem that has spring boarded him towards his current and future success...Read 6 Reviews

• grade A

• 320 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sessions Elementary School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• grade A

• 457 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

San Diego School of Creative & Performing Arts

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• 6-12
• Rating 3.91 out of 5  359 reviews

Alum: I loved attending a school that provided me free access to high caliber art training! SCPA just has this was of bringing together such passionate and hungry artist, and pushes them to excel beyond belief. The environment of the campus is like no other, everyone is so kind and loving. Some of my greatest artistic achievements were made possible for me by attending this school. The admin of the school need to remember that we appreciate having some of the traditional aspects of a non performing arts school, like having a prom and hosting pep rallies. I also feel like the audition process to get into the school needs to be revamped...Read 359 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 1,375 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

School for Entrepreneurship & Technology

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• 9-12
• Rating 4.24 out of 5  29 reviews

Alum: It was a change from going to a bigger high school then transitioning to a smaller one like Coleman tech. The school is a smaller school, so you will know all of the other students, teachers, and administrators. It gave me more of a one on one experience with my learning experience and helping with the planning of my future. They did have the same school schedule as college, so it did help with the transitioning. The only downside could be how small the athletics side is, but the school is not about that part, more about technology. It is a good school if you like smaller side of schooling...Read 29 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 190 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

High Tech Middle School

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• 6-8
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: This school is amazing, with project based learning, community focused energy and friendly staff and kids, we LOVE our school and are so blessed to be a part of it!Read 2 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 340 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Learning Choice Academy

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• K-12
• Rating 4.57 out of 5  35 reviews

Senior: This school is small but it has a lot to offer. The class size makes it easier to have friends and also get the one on one feeling with the teachers. Everyone is very friendly too! They set up many awesome trips and events for just the “kids” and/or your family. They offer al lot more than most public schools...Read 35 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 209 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pacific Beach Elementary School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• K-5

• grade A minus

• 365 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Longfellow K-8

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• grade A minus

• 686 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pacific Beach Middle School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• 6-8
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Have really enjoyed my time here, good friends, good teachers, and I was able to learn and grow so much.Read 2 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 690 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

High Tech Middle Media Arts

• Public School
• SAN DIEGO, CA
• 6-8
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: The level of care and dedication with which teachers approach their job every day is humbling. Every one of them is passionate about what they do - and it translates into the school’s culture. At HTMMA you feel cared for by all of your teachers. They all make an effort to get to know you, so you never end up feeling like ‘just another kid’. Students have every opportunity to get involved with their community. If you choose to make the most of your HTMMA experience, you’ll have a wonderful time there. ...And the advanced resources my 8th grade teachers have given me are great. I’ve been learning Algebra 2 - 10th grade level math - as an 8th grader.In short; High Tech Middle Media Arts is a wonderful school. I’ve been in the High Tech system since I was a kindergartner, and my 8th grade year at HTMMA has been the best of them all. If you like experimental, hands-on work, this is a great middle school...Read 1 Review

• grade A minus

• 331 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mission Bay High School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• Rating 3.38 out of 5  362 reviews

Sophomore: There are a lot of great teachers and Academic opportunities but as an underclassman, it was not as easy to figure out how to talk to my counselor and get involved in things, there's a lot your have to figure out on your own, which is probably true for most public schools. Great that they offer IB!...Read 362 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 1,175 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

East Village High School

• San Diego Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  40 reviews

Sophomore: This school has given me opportunities many others might not be familiar with. You gain duel credits by attending college classes at San Diego City College and have a quarter system that allows students to graduate their Junior year if they wish. It might be an advantage to those who wish to attend college in the near future. The only thing this school lacks is school spirit and population. There aren't enough students to make the school fun, but everyone is informed that they are risking the chance to have a "high school experiece". In spite of this, it's a luminary school; highly recommend!...Read 40 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 121 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio