Photo: Port of San Diego · CC BY 2.0Chula Vista’s public schools outscore 69% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Chula Vista, 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 95% 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.
Chula Vista’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 33% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Sweetwater Union High spends $16,482 per student and Chula Vista Elementary $18,192, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Howard Gardner Community Charter, Mueller Charter, Arroyo Vista Charter, High Tech Middle Chula Vista, MAAC Community Charter, Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter, Pacific Springs Charter, High Tech High Chula Vista, Chula Vista Learning Community Charter, Hawking S.T.E.A.M. Charter, High Tech Elementary Chula Vista, Learning Choice Academy - Chula Vista, Feaster (Mae L.) Charter, Discovery Charter, Mater Dei Catholic High School (private), Mater Dei Catholic H.S. (private), Calvary Christian Academy (private), St. Rose of Lima School (private), Victory Christian Academy (private), St. Pius X School (private), Kinderland Montessori (private), Eastlake Community Church Preschool (private), South Bay Christian Academy (private), Montessori Explorer Elementary (private), Berean Bible Baptist Academy (private), Montessori Hills Academy (private) and Green Hill Bilingual Learnind Academy (private) are 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 Chula Vista’s grade
B+: better than 69% of California school districts, #257 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chula Vista, with each school’s own grade.
Chula Vista runs its own schools through grade 6 (Chula Vista Elementary School District). From grade 7, students attend the Sweetwater Union High School District, shared with Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Chula Vista
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Chula Vista vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Chula Vista’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | B+ | Chula Vista Elementary K–6 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 |
| National City | B | National Elementary K–6 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 |
| San Diego | B+ | San Diego City Unified K–12 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Sweetwater Union High with Chula Vista for grades 7–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Chula Vista
81 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Special Education Preschool and Sweetwater Community Day).
Questions about Chula Vista’s schools
Are Chula Vista’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chula Vista children attend outscore 69% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #257 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Chula Vista in?
Two districts: Chula Vista Elementary School District runs grades K–6, and Sweetwater Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.
Where do Chula Vista kids go to high school?
One of 7 high schools, depending on your address: Eastlake High, Otay Ranch Senior High, Olympian High, Bonita Vista Senior High, Chula Vista Senior High, Hilltop Senior High and Castle Park Senior High.
What is Chula Vista’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Sweetwater Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Chula Vista spend per student?
$16,482 in Sweetwater Union High School District and $18,192 in Chula Vista Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Chula Vista?
Yes: Mater Dei Catholic High School (Catholic, grades K–12, 1,659 students), Mater Dei Catholic H.S. (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,146 students), Calvary Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 466 students), St. Rose of Lima School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 347 students), Victory Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 316 students), St. Pius X School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 288 students), Kinderland Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 124 students), Eastlake Community Church Preschool (religious, grades K, 35 students), South Bay Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 35 students), Montessori Explorer Elementary (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 26 students), Berean Bible Baptist Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 16 students), Montessori Hills Academy (nonsectarian, grades K, 14 students) and Green Hill Bilingual Learnind Academy (nonsectarian, grades K, 5 students). Chula Vista also has 14 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Chula Vista families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chula Vista → 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.