2024 Best School Districts in the San Diego Area

• Encinitas, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.31 out of 5  70 reviews

Sophomore: I think it's amazing! There are amazing programs available and as someone who is very involved on campus, I can say that this district has really served me well. I love the teachers and everyone is very accepting. They have cultivated a great environment in SDUHSD. I am lucky to be here.... Read 70 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 10

• Students 12,704

• San Diego, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.38 out of 5  178 reviews

Senior: Great district focused on academic achievements! Throughout my years with this district I have felt pretty safe and included. Though they hype sports more than the arts, they still include many classes for students who are interested in this field. I also wish they spent a little more money on things like chrome books or any help for students, I am overall very happy I got to be part of this district.... Read 178 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 38

• Students 35,192

• Coronado, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  36 reviews

Senior: As a senior at Coronado High School, we so many different kinds of elective options and opportunities for students to learn what interests them. Not only do we have a good program for the arts, but we also have a health and medical track that has classes like sports medicine, anatomy, etc. There are a lot of opportunities to discover what interests you and to go deeper into the subject, and ultimately prepare you for college.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,747

• Carlsbad, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.3 out of 5  54 reviews

Senior: Being a Carlsbad high school for four years is definitely something I could say that was the best community ever, the teachers and counselors are always in touch with you, and they never make you feel pressured to the point where you’re afraid to ask them any questions.Our school provides a vast amount of classes and truly my favorite is avid. I have it is a leadership class that helps you prepare for college and myself has been in that class for my entire grade years. The one thing I would want to change is definitely switch back to the old school schedule because I feel like a lot of students really love the schedule of going to school and leaving to school.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 16

• Students 11,027

• San Marcos, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  163 reviews

Junior: I've been in the San Marcos school district my whole life and I'm happy to say that consistently I've managed to maintain a generally good experience within the district all the way from elementary school through high school. My teachers have been very supportive of my learning, and I am always informed about the resources that could help me in the future. The faculties are generally pretty nice and well cleaned and the facility manage the maintain order in the school nicely. The only complaint I would have about the district is that I feel like many students easily fall the wayside, unless you're a highly motivated student teachers tend to let kids with low motivation stay there. So, I do feel that more support is needed for all students within the district.... Read 163 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 19

• Students 19,622

• El Cajon, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  211 reviews

Senior: I've been in Grossmont Union High School District for a really long time. Overall, I've had a really fantastic experience with this district. There have been a few problems where dangerous activities and people were near our campus, which would cause the school to lock all students inside. Other than the possible life-threatening people near campus on some occasions, Grossmont Union High School District is a great district to educate people. Not only does Grossmont Union High School help inform people, but it also provides great opportunities for students to figure out what they like and what they don't like. There are different sports activities and club opportunities after school on campus that help students know and get an idea of what they could possibly want to do after graduation.... Read 211 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 15

• Students 17,108

• San Diego, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  749 reviews

Senior: San Diego Unified is a strong school district They offer a wide range of classes for all academic interests as well as a large variety of sports. I like how I can choose from many different electives and can try different classes to see what I am interested in. I also like that they offer many AP courses and college classes. There is something for everyone. However, there are some issues with good teachers that are really passionate about teaching. Additionally, the new 4-point grading scale is annoying as it makes it harder to excel and show your understanding.... Read 749 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 176

• Students 95,233

• Chula Vista, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  407 reviews

Senior: I feel like although there are certain things that the district can improve on, I do feel like at my school I have had a decently good experience at school, and the always do their best to make student's main priority of education to be as fun as possible. The biggest complaint I have is that the internet at school is extremely poor and terrible. It is hard to even do online assignments without there being a connection error and has been an issue since the beginning of the schoolyear. Besides that, everything else has been somewhat fun!... Read 407 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 29

• Students 36,557

• Bonsall, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Junior: I only attended Bonsall High, but my time there was well spent. One of the biggest things for me was the diversity of people from different backgrounds. Coming from Utah where almost everyone was white, and many weren't so accepting of me and others of a darker skin tone, it was a welcomed change being in Bonsall where people are more accepting of each other. The teachers at Bonsall are the kindest and most supportive I have ever met. All of the teachers try to make learning interesting for the students, and care that they succeed. You feel like the teachers are your friends, and they do a great job at teaching the material. In terms of sports, it is quite the small school, but there are sports teams where there is demand. There is soccer, basketball, golf, tennis, and track. There are clubs you can attend after school, and during lunch like an anime club, videogame club, LGBTQ club, and others.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,209

• Escondido, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  51 reviews

Senior: I would say the best part is being enrolled in to a dual enrollment program called Middle College and the worst part parts would be that we don’t get enough funding for better equipment or for activities and sports especially the girls soccer team. I would honestly like more students attending my school Orange Glen.... Read 51 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 7,166

• Vista, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  110 reviews

Junior: I've been taught well how to prepare for my future through both the realms of science and math and the arts and humanities. This district has supported me and my academic growth, and I've become a better learner than I ever would've been if I hadn't been attending this district.... Read 110 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 28

• Students 19,527

• Ramona, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.65 out of 5  20 reviews

Senior: Ramona Unified school district is a great district which overall prepares students for college. From kindergarten for high school it allows students to grow as people as well as academically in a somewhat well and very secure environment. Some teachers like in all school districts are sometimes difficult to work with r sometimes don't show as much interest to work with students but overall most teachers are willing to help students grow. The school environment is very secure and as students we are able to feel safe at school with gates surrounding most schools to prevent non welcomed visitors and security guards and well trained staff which always ensure our safety while on campus. As a senior in this district I am very happy to be able to say with complete honesty that the 12 years I spent in the Ramona Unified School district were the best years of my life thanks to the supporting staff and the very welcoming environment.... Read 20 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 11

• Students 5,128

• Oceanside, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  68 reviews

Senior: I am currently a student who attends a school in Oceanside Unified School District and my experience has been pretty good. The students here are very nice and there’s so many different groups of people so it’s easy to find a crowd that fits you! I feel like this district cares about their students and wants to do right by us.... Read 68 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 24

• Students 16,261

• Valley Center, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  31 reviews

Senior: At Vallley Center I have experienced many things. I’ve made many friends and been able to participate in a bunch of fun activities and sports. However, I did experience a pretty large amount of bullying from 3rd grade to senior. The school doesn’t much to help and combat that. I brought these issues to the school many times and still had nothing done to help me. That would be what needs to change.... Read 31 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 8

• Students 3,826

• Fallbrook, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.6 out of 5  75 reviews

Senior: My freshman year in high school was online during the pandemic of COVID-19. I was still very excited to see my teachers and get to be at home at the same time. Even though it wasn't in person I tried my best to learn and get good grades! It was hard to get to bed and sometimes even focus. Looking back, our school did there very best in making sure to give a heartwarming welcome to our freshman and even returning students. I am very thankful for their support for us at that time. Somphere Year felt like my freshman year because it was my very first time on campus. I was very nervous and excited. But the thing was that we had to wear masks for safety necessities. It was better to see students' eyes than a black screen with just their names on it. We could look at one another, be with one another, and communicate. I believe Fallbrook High School found its connectedness with its student's backs and confidence. Now I am going back as a Senior! Making the best out of it, that's what counts.... Read 75 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 3

• Students 2,128

• El Cajon, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Senior: I loved the school spirit that was present at the Cajon Valley Union school district. The teachers, resources and facilities are also very good. One think that needs improvement is the food.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 27

• Students 14,799

• Pine Valley, CA•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Senior: At first I was not happy about going to Mountain Empire High School. I spent a lot of time with some kids that were always rude to me. But after my first year I knew that this was the school I belonged to. I realized school may be about education. But a school isn't only a place to learn its a safe place. This year I have been through a lot. I lost my grandpa and had a few other bad things happen. While I started to fall apart in my last year of high school my teachers and other staff had helped pick up the pieces. They supported me no matter what and I wouldn't be about to graduate without them. Mountain Empire High may be a small school, and may not have a lot of resources. But the staff and teachers bring the students together creating a safe net. They have made the school not only an amazing educational institute but almost like a home where everyone is family. I'm lucky to have has such amazing teachers at my school.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 11

• Students 1,746

• El Cajon, CA•

• School District

• grade C

• Total schools 1

• Students 105

• San Diego, CA•

• School District

• grade C

• Total schools 8

• Students 949

• Warner Springs, CA•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Senior: I had an amazing experience growing and developing into the young women I am today because of this school! I would like to see the campus get more funding for supplies and more equipment for the AG department.... Read 4 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 211

• San Diego, CA•

• School District

• grade A+

• Total schools 8

• Students 3,895

• Solana Beach, CA•

• School District

• grade A

• Total schools 7

• Students 2,820

• Cardiff-by-the-sea, CA•

• School District

• grade A

• Total schools 2

• Students 631

• Encinitas, CA•

• School District

• grade A

• Total schools 9

• Students 4,813

• Rancho Santa Fe, CA•

• School District

• grade A minus

• Total schools 2

• Students 589