Photo: Namiwoo · CC BY-SA 3.0El Cajon’s public schools score below 60% of California districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in El Cajon’s districts is 25%, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving El Cajon, 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 93% 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.
El Cajon’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Grossmont Union High spends $20,908 per student and Cajon Valley Union Elementary $19,663, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
EJE Elementary Academy Charter, EJE Middle Academy, Altus Schools East County, Literacy First Charter, Diego Valley East Public Charter, Kidinnu Academy, Bostonia Global, Christian Elementary School-East Campus (private), Our Lady of Grace Elementary School (private), Foothills Christian High School (private), Christian Elementary School - West Campus (private), St. Kieran Catholic School (private), Holy Trinity Elementary School (private) and Taproot Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten (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 El Cajon’s grade
C+: better than 40% of California school districts, #621 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve El Cajon, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in El Cajon · depends on your address
Granite Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,331 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Grossmont High
Grades 9–12 · 2,172 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in La Mesa
El Cajon Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,701 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in El Cajon · depends on your address
Granite Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,331 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Grossmont High
Grades 9–12 · 2,172 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in La Mesa
El Cajon Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,701 students · 21:1 students per teacher
El Cajon runs its own schools through grade 8 (Cajon Valley Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Grossmont Union High School District, shared with La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee. Parts of El Cajon (19% and 8% of its land) are served by La Mesa-Spring Valley and Santee instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve El Cajon
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
El Cajon vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share El Cajon’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| El Cajon | C+ | Cajon Valley Union Elementary K–8 · Grossmont Union High 9–12 |
| La Mesa | B | La Mesa-Spring Valley K–8 · Grossmont Union High 9–12 |
| Santee | B+ | Santee K–8 · Grossmont Union High 9–12 |
| San Diego | B+ | San Diego City Unified K–12 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Grossmont Union High with El Cajon for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in El Cajon
35 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Sevick Special Education, Empower and REACH Academy).
Questions about El Cajon’s schools
Are El Cajon’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools El Cajon children attend score below 60% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #621 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 41%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is El Cajon in?
Two districts: Cajon Valley Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Grossmont Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee.
Where do El Cajon kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Granite Hills High, Grossmont High and El Cajon Valley High.
What is El Cajon’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 El Cajon spend per student?
$20,908 in Grossmont Union High School District and $19,663 in Cajon Valley Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in El Cajon?
Yes: Christian Elementary School-East Campus (religious, grades PK–6, 529 students), Our Lady of Grace Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 305 students), Foothills Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 262 students), Christian Elementary School - West Campus (religious, grades K–6, 204 students), St. Kieran Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 150 students), Holy Trinity Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 141 students) and Taproot Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 40 students). El Cajon also has 7 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What El Cajon families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near El Cajon → 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.