2024 Best Schools Offering AP Courses in the San Diego Area

• 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  706 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 706 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,351

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• 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  853 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 853 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

• 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  204 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 204 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 940

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Vista Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  574 reviews

Alum: I can't believe I'm writing this review many years later, but late is better than never. Mission Vista High School was an amazing school, as part of the class of 2015 Alumni, this school pushed you to your limits with the 4x4 layout class schedule. To compress more content into half the time, I had my highs, and lows. The faculty, teachers and aides, the administration were all wonderful. I had some amazing, caring, and down to earth teachers. Some of them, are still there today teaching. This makes me happy to see. The layout of the campus, the classes, content, and pep rallys, events, especially senior year events were amazing, and awesome. Selections of classes I took from Digital Arts, TV/Film and production, and the other possible choices, were all fantastic, the sky is the limit! I cant imagine the choices now. I chose to go to MVHS because I wanted a different and unique high school experience of the 4x4. I'm glad I did, most teachers, counselors, and select few admins care.... Read 574 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,658

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Sweetwater Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  553 reviews

Junior: As a junior at Olympian High school the best experiences are spirit activities and clubs. The school spirit at Olympian High is very upbeat and positive. They are diligent to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in school activities and create a safe environment where students could express their opinion. In fact, when many students report feeling stressed or mentally unwell, the school puts up heartfelt and encouraging messages around the school. This includes in the bathrooms, classrooms, and around the walls of the school. I really love how our school values our mental health, and instead of stressing students out to have academic achievements, they encourage students to work hard academically. Our clubs are also full of opportunities while being academically focused towards college. Our school however struggles on being a little understaffed, as seen with some limited AP classes or yard-duties. You could commonly see teacher out patrolling during snack breaks.... Read 553 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,310

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Lakeside, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  109 reviews

Senior: It took some time to adjust to the schedule, but the people here are great. Teachers are great at communicating and are very helpful. I have taken many college classes and felt prepared due to the classes that I took at River Valley. Education wise, I feel like River Valley is great! When it comes to sports and extracurriculars, we are very inclusive! The sports teams are a lot of fun and include everyone no matter the skill level. Overall if you are looking for a school that is inclusive, prepares you for college, and is an overall great environment, River Valley is for you. ( Also u literally only go to school twice a week so...) :)... Read 109 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 233

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Poway Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  579 reviews

Junior: The student-teacher bond is really strong here. The learning environment is also very nice, Freely ask questions, and get the answer you are looking for! The teachers really love to see the students trying to learn new concepts.... Read 579 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,334

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1