Photo: Amin Eshaiker · CC BY-SA 3.0Alpine’s public schools outscore 63% of California districts
Reading proficiency in Alpine’s districts is 55%, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Alpine, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Alpine’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 29% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Grossmont Union High spends $20,908 per student and Alpine Union Elementary $15,983, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Heights Charter is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Alpine’s grade
B: better than 63% of California school districts, #332 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alpine, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Alpine
Creekside Early Learning Center
Grades K · 227 students · 23:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Alpine
Boulder Oaks Elementary
Grades 1–5 · 367 students · 23:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Alpine
Boulder Oaks Elementary
Grades 1–5 · 367 students · 23:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Alpine
Boulder Oaks Elementary
Grades 1–5 · 367 students · 23:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Alpine
Boulder Oaks Elementary
Grades 1–5 · 367 students · 23:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Alpine
Boulder Oaks Elementary
Grades 1–5 · 367 students · 23:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Alpine
Joan MacQueen Middle
Grades 6–8 · 405 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Alpine
Joan MacQueen Middle
Grades 6–8 · 405 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Alpine
Joan MacQueen Middle
Grades 6–8 · 405 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Alpine runs its own schools through grade 8 (Alpine Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Grossmont Union High School District, shared with El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee. Its elementary school is in Alpine. Parts of Alpine (2% of its land) are served by Dehesa Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Alpine
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Alpine vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Alpine’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine | B | Alpine Union Elementary K–8 · Grossmont Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Alpine
13 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Alpine’s schools
Are Alpine’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Alpine children attend outscore 63% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #332 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 59%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Alpine in?
Two districts: Alpine Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Grossmont Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee.
Where do Alpine kids go to high school?
One of 9 high schools, depending on your address: Granite Hills High, Grossmont High, El Capitan High, Valhalla High, El Cajon Valley High, West Hills High, Santana High, Monte Vista High and Mount Miguel High.
What is Alpine’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Grossmont Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Alpine spend per student?
$20,908 in Grossmont Union High School District and $15,983 in Alpine Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Alpine families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alpine → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.