Public School Review - Established 2003

San Diego Unified School District

4100 Normal St.
San Diego, CA 92103-2682
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Tel: (619) 725-8000
www.sandi.net

Top Rankings

San Diego Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 177 public schools serving 96,906 students in San Diego Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in San Diego Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
177 Schools
10,417 Schools
# Students
96,906 Students
5,836,351 Students
# Teachers
4,351 Teachers
268,443 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
22:1

District Rank

San Diego Unified School District, which is ranked #524 of all 1,930 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 90% has increased from 87% over five school years.
Definition of Terms
This School District
State Average (CA)
#526 out of 1941 school districts
(Top 30%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of San Diego Unified School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
41%
33%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of San Diego Unified School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
53%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of San Diego Unified School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
36%
29%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of San Diego Unified School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
90%
87%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of San Diego Unified School District and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.71
0.63
# American Indian Students
228 Students
25,834 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
13,672 Students
706,211 Students
% Asian Students
14%
12%
# Hispanic Students
43,441 Students
3,270,518 Students
% Hispanic Students
45%
56%
# Black Students
6,754 Students
286,712 Students
% Black Students
7%
5%
# White Students
23,321 Students
1,179,835 Students
% White Students
24%
20%
# Hawaiian Students
342 Students
23,773 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
9,082 Students
334,411 Students
% of Two or more races Students
10%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
11,865
523,125
# Students in 1st Grade:
7,491
397,228
# Students in 2nd Grade:
7,638
415,060
# Students in 3rd Grade:
7,380
417,145
# Students in 4th Grade:
7,375
426,889
# Students in 5th Grade:
7,391
431,136
# Students in 6th Grade:
6,384
433,928
# Students in 7th Grade:
6,276
440,614
# Students in 8th Grade:
6,128
442,869
# Students in 9th Grade:
7,014
466,920
# Students in 10th Grade:
7,257
477,112
# Students in 11th Grade:
7,113
470,060
# Students in 12th Grade:
7,594
494,182
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $23,112 is higher than the state median of $19,942. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,189 is higher than the state median of $18,366. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Definition of Terms
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$2,240 MM
$116,387 MM
This chart displays total revenue of San Diego Unified School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$2,247 MM
$107,188 MM
This chart displays total spending of San Diego Unified School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$23,112
$19,942
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in San Diego Unified School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$23,189
$18,366
This chart displays average spending per public school student in San Diego Unified School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best San Diego Unified School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
La Jolla Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1111 Marine St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-7196
Grades: K-5
| 526 students
Rank: #22.
Scripps Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
11778 Cypress Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92131
(619) 605-2000
Grades: K-5
| 762 students
Rank: #33.
Holmes Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4902 Mt. Ararat Dr.
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 496-8110
Grades: K-6
| 503 students
Rank: #44.
Torrey Pines Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
8350 Cliffridge Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(619) 605-3700
Grades: K-5
| 450 students
Rank: #55.
Dingeman Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
11840 Scripps Creek Dr.
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 549-4437
Grades: K-5
| 695 students
Rank: #66.
Jerabek Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10050 Avenida Magnifica
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 578-5330
Grades: K-5
| 714 students
Rank: #77.
Silver Gate Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1499 Venice St.
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 222-1139
Grades: K-4
| 410 students
Rank: #88.
Mt. Everest Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 605-8700
Grades: K-12
| 205 students
Rank: #99.
Curie Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4080 Governor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 221-5500
Grades: K-5
| 530 students
Rank: #1010.
Bird Rock Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5371 La Jolla Hermosa Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 488-0537
Grades: K-5
| 416 students
Rank: #1111.
Dailard Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6425 Cibola Rd.
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 286-1550
Grades: K-5
| 542 students
Rank: #1212.
Miramar Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10770 Red Cedar Dr.
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 271-0470
Grades: K-5
| 629 students
Rank: #1313.
Marvin Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5720 Brunswick Ave.
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 583-1355
Grades: K-5
| 549 students
Rank: #1414.
Hickman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10850 Montongo St.
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 634-8500
Grades: K-5
| 483 students
Rank: #1515.
Scripps Ranch High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10410 Falcon Way
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 302-3400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,920 students
Rank: #1616.
Kumeyaay Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6475 Antigua Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92124
(858) 279-1022
Grades: K-5
| 406 students
Rank: #1717.
Marshall Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
9700 Avenue Of Nations
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 549-5400
Grades: 6-8
| 1,359 students
Rank: #1818.
Benchley/weinberger Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6269 Twin Lake Dr.
San Diego, CA 92119
(619) 463-9271
Grades: K-5
| 558 students
Rank: #1919.
Birney Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4345 Campus Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 497-3500
Grades: K-5
| 535 students
Rank: #2020.
Sunset View Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4365 Hill St.
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 223-7156
Grades: K-4
| 411 students
Rank: #2121.
Green Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7030 Wandermere Pl.
San Diego, CA 92119
(619) 460-5755
Grades: K-5
| 493 students
Rank: #2222.
Hearst Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6230 Del Cerro Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 583-5704
Grades: K-5
| 530 students
Rank: #2323.
Jonas Salk Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7825 Flanders Dr.
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 935-2100
Grades: K-5
| 702 students
Rank: #2424.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3045 Felton St.
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 282-7694
Grades: K-5
| 573 students
Rank: #2525.
Muirlands Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1056 Nautilus St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-4211
Grades: 6-8
| 695 students
Rank: #2626.
Ocean Beach Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4741 Santa Monica Ave.
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 223-1631
Grades: K-4
| 406 students
Rank: #2727.
La Jolla High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
750 Nautilus St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 634-8000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,213 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Nye Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
981 Valencia Pkwy.
San Diego, CA 92114
(619) 430-1200
Grades: K-5
| 375 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Sessions Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2150 Beryl St.
San Diego, CA 92109
(619) 605-3400
Grades: K-5
| 433 students
Rank: #3030.
Ericson Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11174 Westonhill Dr.
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 271-0505
Grades: K-5
| 636 students
Rank: #3131.
Pacific Beach Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4676 Ingraham St.
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 221-5600
Grades: 6-8
| 631 students
Rank: #3232.
Sandburg Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11230 Avenida Del Gato
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 566-0510
Grades: K-5
| 554 students
Rank: #3333.
Bay Park Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2433 Denver St.
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 605-1100
Grades: K-5
| 526 students
Rank: #3434.
Barnard Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2445 Fogg St.
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 800-5700
Grades: K-6
| 471 students
Rank: #3535.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4487 Oregon St.
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 362-4300
Grades: K-5
| 302 students
Show 100 more public schools in San Diego Unified School District (out of 177 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to San Diego Unified School District?
San Diego Unified School District manages 177 public schools serving 96,906 students.
What is the rank of San Diego Unified School District?
San Diego Unified School District is ranked #524 out of 1,930 school districts in California (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in San Diego Unified School District?
45% of San Diego Unified School District students are Hispanic, 24% of students are White, 14% of students are Asian, 10% of students are Two or more races, and 7% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of San Diego Unified School District?
San Diego Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 22:1, which is equal to the California state average of 22:1.
What is San Diego Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $23,189 is higher than the state median of $18,366. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
Segregation in K-12 Education: The Jim Crow Era
Segregation in K-12 Education: The Jim Crow Era
This article delves into the segregated schooling system that existed during the Jim Crow Era, examining the disparities faced by African American students.
Personalized Learning: Revolutionizing Education for the 21st Century
December 16, 2024
Personalized Learning: Revolutionizing Education for the 21st Century
Explore the revolutionary approach of Personalized Learning in K-12 education. This article discusses the benefits, challenges, and potential of tailoring education to individual student needs, incorporating technology and adaptive learning methods to prepare students for the 21st century.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 177 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 96,906 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 76%
  • : 90% (Top 50% in CA)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 41% (Top 30%)
  • : 53% (Top 30%)
  • : 36% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Top Ranked Public Schools in the US
Top Ranked Public Schools in the US
 Parental Involvement is Key to Student Success
Parental Involvement is Key to Student Success
 What Is A Magnet School?
What Is A Magnet School?

More Articles

Public School Jobs
Scholarships
Evaluating Public Schools
Local School Topics
About Public Schools