Top Rankings
Poway Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 32 public elementary schools serving 23,411 students in Poway Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in Poway Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the California public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 45% statewide average).
The top ranked public elementary schools in Poway Unified School District are Del Sur Elementary School, Deer Canyon Elementary School and Monterey Ridge Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
39 Schools
7,700 Schools
# Students
34,755 Students
3,822,920 Students
# Teachers
1,497 Teachers
174,000 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
23:1
23:1
District Rank
Poway Unified School District, which is ranked #76 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#75 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
33%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
47%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
29%
Graduation Rate
94%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.73
0.64
# American Indian Students
45 Students
16,785 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
10,577 Students
454,357 Students
% Asian Students
30%
12%
# Hispanic Students
6,100 Students
2,114,366 Students
% Hispanic Students
18%
55%
# Black Students
590 Students
189,461 Students
% Black Students
2%
5%
# White Students
13,185 Students
787,389 Students
% White Students
38%
21%
# Hawaiian Students
56 Students
15,077 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
4,146 Students
240,557 Students
% of Two or more races Students
12%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
3,112
519,574
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,277
396,601
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,462
414,466
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,589
416,628
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,605
426,360
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,624
430,582
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,563
432,936
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,616
312,207
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,563
312,649
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,679
44,929
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,775
37,487
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,801
37,249
# Students in 12th Grade:
3,089
41,169
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,877 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,652 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$552 MM
$116,387 MM

Spending
$509 MM
$107,188 MM

Revenue / Student
$15,877
$19,974

Spending / Student
$14,652
$18,396

Best Poway Unified School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Del Sur Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
15665 Paseo Del Sur
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 674-6200
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 674-6200
Grades: K-5
| 946 students
Rank: #22.
Deer Canyon Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
13455 Russet Leaf Ln.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-6064
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-6064
Grades: K-5
| 362 students
Rank: #33.
Monterey Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
17117 4s Ranch Pkwy.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-6887
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-6887
Grades: K-5
| 815 students
Rank: #44.
Park Village Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7930 Park Village Rd.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-5621
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-5621
Grades: K-5
| 634 students
Rank: #55.
Adobe Bluffs Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8707 Adobe Bluffs Dr.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 538-8403
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 538-8403
Grades: K-5
| 549 students
Rank: #66.
Stone Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
16150 4s Ranch Pkwy.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-8474
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-8474
Grades: K-5
| 752 students
Rank: #77.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12362 Springhurst Dr.
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 391-1514
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 391-1514
Grades: K-5
| 560 students
Rank: #88.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
17449 Matinal Rd.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-2026
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-2026
Grades: K-5
| 839 students
Rank: #99.
Design 39 Campus
(Math: 73% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 676-6639
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 676-6639
Grades: K-8
| 1,251 students
Rank: #1010.
Willow Grove Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
14727 Via Azul
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 674-6300
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 674-6300
Grades: K-5
| 747 students
Rank: #1111.
Oak Valley Middle School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
16055 Winecreek Rd.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-2939
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 487-2939
Grades: 6-8
| 1,485 students
Rank: #1212.
Rolling Hills Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
15255 Penasquitos Dr.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 672-3400
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 672-3400
Grades: K-5
| 496 students
Rank: #1313.
Chaparral Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
17250 Tannin Dr.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 485-0042
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 485-0042
Grades: K-5
| 869 students
Rank: #1414.
Tierra Bonita Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
14678 Tierra Bonita Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-8540
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-8540
Grades: K-5
| 399 students
Rank: #1515.
Mesa Verde Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8375 Entreken Way
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 538-5478
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 538-5478
Grades: 6-8
| 1,119 students
Rank: #1616.
Canyon View Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9225 Adolphia St.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-0981
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-0981
Grades: K-5
| 496 students
Rank: #1717.
Painted Rock Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
16711 Martincoit Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 487-1180
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 487-1180
Grades: K-5
| 608 students
Rank: #1818.
Shoal Creek Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11775 Shoal Creek Dr.
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 613-9080
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 613-9080
Grades: K-5
| 488 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Sundance Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8944 Twin Trails Dr.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-2950
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-2950
Grades: K-5
| 436 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Sunset Hills Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9291 Oviedo St.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-1600
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-1600
Grades: K-5
| 372 students
Rank: #2121.
Los Penasquitos Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
14125 Cuca St.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 672-3600
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 672-3600
Grades: K-5
| 624 students
Rank: #2222.
Morning Creek Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
10925 Morning Creek Dr. South
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 748-4334
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 748-4334
Grades: K-5
| 564 students
Rank: #2323.
Black Mountain Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9353 Oviedo St.
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-1300
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 484-1300
Grades: 6-8
| 1,132 students
Rank: #2424.
Highland Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
14840 Waverley Downs Way
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 674-4707
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 674-4707
Grades: K-5
| 661 students
Rank: #2525.
Bernardo Heights Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12990 Paseo Lucido
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 485-4850
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 485-4850
Grades: 6-8
| 1,501 students
Rank: #2626.
Garden Road Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
14614 Garden Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-0230
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-0230
Grades: K-5
| 532 students
Rank: #2727.
Turtleback Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
15855 Turtleback Rd.
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 673-5514
San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 673-5514
Grades: K-5
| 500 students
Rank: #2828.
Midland Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
13910 Midland Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-0047
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-0047
Grades: K-5
| 588 students
Rank: #2929.
Twin Peaks Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
14640 Tierra Bonita Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-5131
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-5131
Grades: 6-8
| 1,101 students
Rank: #3030.
Meadowbrook Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12320 Meadowbrook Ln.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-0802
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-0802
Grades: 6-8
| 984 students
Rank: #3131.
Pomerado Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12321 Ninth St.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-1320
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-1320
Grades: K-5
| 342 students
Rank: #3232.
Valley Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13000 Bowron Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-2007
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 748-2007
Grades: K-5
| 659 students
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