Howell House · Photo: Anechka2003 · CC BY-SA 3.0Escondido’s public schools score below 65% of California districts on tests and graduation
In Escondido, 24% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Escondido, 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 97% 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.
Escondido’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 590 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Escondido’s, its schools beat 18%, lower than their 35% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Escondido Union High spends $21,430 per student and Escondido Union Elementary $20,257, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Community Montessori, Classical Academy, Heritage K-8 Charter, Classical Academy High, Dimensions Collaborative, Altus Schools North County, Escondido Charter High, Grace Christian School (Changed the Name 6/15) (private), Escondido Adventist Academy (private), St. Mary School (private), Kings Academy (private), 10X Academy (private) and Balboa School (private) are in town. Motivated Youth Academy and Limitless Learning Academy, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Escondido’s grade
C+: better than 35% of California school districts, #687 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 Escondido, with each school’s own grade.
Escondido runs its own schools through grade 8 (Escondido Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Escondido Union High School District, shared with Poway and San Marcos. Parts of Escondido (5%, 4% and 2% of its land) are served by San Pasqual Union Elementary, San Marcos Unified and Valley Center-Pauma Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Escondido
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
Escondido vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Escondido’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Escondido | C+ | Escondido Union Elementary K–8 · Escondido Union High 9–12 |
| San Diego | B+ | San Diego City Unified K–12 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
| San Marcos | A− | San Marcos Unified K–12 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 · Escondido Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Escondido
43 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 Escondido’s schools
Are Escondido’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Escondido children attend score below 65% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #687 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Escondido in?
Two districts: Escondido Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Escondido Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Poway and San Marcos.
Where do Escondido kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: San Pasqual High, Orange Glen High, Escondido High and Del Lago Academy - Campus of Applied Science.
What is Escondido’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Escondido Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Escondido spend per student?
$21,430 in Escondido Union High School District and $20,257 in Escondido Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Escondido?
Yes: Grace Christian School (Changed the Name 6/15) (religious, grades K–8, 163 students), Escondido Adventist Academy (religious, grades K–12, 143 students), St. Mary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 139 students), Kings Academy (religious, grades 1–11, 50 students), 10X Academy (religious · all-boys, grades 6–8, 30 students) and Balboa School (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 10 students). Escondido also has 7 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Escondido families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Escondido → 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.