2023 Best Schools in San Diego

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  88 reviews

Parent: My son will be graduating in a few weeks from The Bishop’s School. It’s definitely an academically challenging school, but that’s what my son loved about it the most. He came from public school that didn’t challenge him enough and had teachers that barely knew the students. At Bishop’s, he received quality education, a lot of one-on-one interaction with teachers that cared, and he took advantage of everything the school offered. We are not rich and it was a financial sacrifice for us to send him there, but it was worth every penny. He always tells us it is the best decision he ever made. He also had a chance to play sports and had coaches that truly cared about him as a whole, on and off the court. The only thing I wish I knew before matriculating at Bishop’s is that your chances of getting into top UC schools dramatically decreases because most of the kids at Bishop’s are highly intelligent and top UCs can only accept a small %. They have better chances going to top private colleges.... Read 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 800

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  91 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 91 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,320

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• La Jolla, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  158 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 158 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,147

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• 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

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.9 out of 5  41 reviews

Junior: The Cambridge School is a great school. There are not many kids, which leads to deep relationships between teachers and students. All of the teachers are amazing and extremely knowledgeable in their respective fields. They want you to do well in their subjects, and are constantly available at lunch and after school, but whats better is they truly care about the type of people their students are becoming, which leads to an incredible community and culture. The school is looking to purchase another property, which is good because as it grows, space for classrooms becomes smaller and smaller.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 386

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• 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, CA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  29 reviews

Parent: We moved here from New York about 4 years ago. My children started in the preschool of SDJA and have been there ever since! Currently, our children are in the lower school and are excelling in all areas. For example, my son and daughter are reading above grade level. The small class sizes and constant attention they receive keeps them engaged and on task. The teachers are constantly creating special experiences for the students, and therefore the lessons never get old. For example, with all the rain that San Diego received my daughter’s teacher created a multi-sensory lesson. The students were asked to create small sailboats from materials found in the classroom. The boats were then tested on the makeshift pond that was formed on the playground from all the rain. The students made predictions and took notice on what worked best and what needed to be changed for future sails!... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 494

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Encinitas, CA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.81 out of 5  54 reviews

Parent: My daughter graduated from The Grauer School and my son is currently a senior. This school has been amazing, and I feel so fortunate that both have been able to attend. The small class sizes help shy children feel more comfortable participating and they allow the inquisitive child to ask questions and explore creativity and out of the box thinking. The relationships students have with their teachers is unlike anything I've ever seen. Students feel valued and appreciated, yet they are also held to a high standard. Students feel they have a voice in their education and can participate in any sport or activity. Although there is a cost to attend, the school is willing to work with families and provide financial aid, when needed. I couldn't have asked for a better middle school and high school experience for my kids. They have grown into kind, confident, capable, and intellectually curious young adults. This is the BEST school!... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 160

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• 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

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  270 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 270 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,640

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• 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

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Works Here: Park Village is an excellent elementary school. The teachers ,staff and parents ( volunteers) work together to make learning a special experience for our students. The parent involvement PTA & foundation have provided support thru fundraising that has added Art, Music, Science and Physical education. Its a great place to work.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  271 reviews

Sophomore: Most of the students are very down to earth. The school does a great job bending over backwards programming activities. This leads to great memories and traditions. The amount of quality extra-curriculars is impressive. Superficial, snobbish students are here but they do not dominate the school culture. Mostly, studious individuals with a hint of nerd with a love extra-curriculars will thrive here. Stick to the ladder and you'll have true, life-long friends. Be prepared to become well-rounded if you take advantage of the opportunities.... Read 271 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 750

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  174 reviews

Senior: I have been at Saint Augustine High School for 4 years. My experience at Saints has been very good. We have a lot of fun in the "pit" and I have participated in a lot of on campus events. Freshman year was a lot of fun and I had all the support that I needed to succeed. I was pared with a Senior student mentor who guided me through the halls at the school and showed me what Saints was all about. Most of my teachers are very good and care about the success of the students. Academically I was challenged and supported. I really liked having an all male environment because I could be myself and find a strong male brotherhood that I hope will last a lifetime. At Saints, you will find a well balanced school that challenges you to grow in character, faith, leadership, while preparing you to be successful in college. I have often heard from Alumni that their experience at Saints has made them strongly prepared for College. To the extent that the college work load often seemed much easier... Read 174 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 736

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Rolling hills elementary is a great small school in a great community. We are a fairly tight nit and family friendly community tucked away in the San Diego suburbs.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 419

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: This is an amazing school both of my children have flourished here...it’s one of the best schools in San Diego.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 366

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Alum: Small class size and dedicated caring teachers lead to indicate attention for every student. Excellent academics and college prep, with multiple ap courses in every subject. Students are very friendly and connected to each other.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 32

• Student-teacher ratio 2:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 522

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1