Photo: Kotoviski photographed by Henryk Kotowski · CC BY-SA 3.0Imperial Beach’s public schools outscore 51% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Imperial Beach, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 25% of Imperial Beach’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). 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.
Imperial Beach’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% 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
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
South Bay Union spends $22,182 per student and Sweetwater Union High $16,482, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach’s grade
B−: better than 51% of California school districts, #469 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Imperial Beach, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Imperial Beach · depends on your address
Oneonta Elementary
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Bayside STEAM Academy
Grades K–6 · 362 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary
Grades K–6 · 350 students · 27:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Imperial Beach · depends on your address
Oneonta Elementary
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Bayside STEAM Academy
Grades K–6 · 362 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary
Grades K–6 · 350 students · 27:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Imperial Beach · depends on your address
Oneonta Elementary
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Bayside STEAM Academy
Grades K–6 · 362 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary
Grades K–6 · 350 students · 27:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Imperial Beach · depends on your address
Oneonta Elementary
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Bayside STEAM Academy
Grades K–6 · 362 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary
Grades K–6 · 350 students · 27:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Imperial Beach · depends on your address
Oneonta Elementary
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Bayside STEAM Academy
Grades K–6 · 362 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary
Grades K–6 · 350 students · 27:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Imperial Beach · depends on your address
Oneonta Elementary
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Bayside STEAM Academy
Grades K–6 · 362 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary
Grades K–6 · 350 students · 27:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Imperial Beach · depends on your address
Oneonta Elementary
Grades K–6 · 434 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Bayside STEAM Academy
Grades K–6 · 362 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary
Grades K–6 · 350 students · 27:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Imperial Beach
Mar Vista Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Imperial Beach
Mar Vista Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Imperial Beach
Mar Vista Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Imperial Beach
Mar Vista Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Imperial Beach runs its own schools through grade 8 (South Bay Union School District). From grade 7, students attend the Sweetwater Union High School District, shared with Chula Vista, Coronado, National City and San Diego. Its middle school is in Chula Vista. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Imperial Beach
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Imperial Beach vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Imperial Beach’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial Beach | B− | South Bay Union K–8 · 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 |
| Coronado | B+ | Coronado Unified K–12 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Sweetwater Union High with Imperial Beach for grades 7–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Imperial Beach
17 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (VIP Village Preschool).
Questions about Imperial Beach’s schools
Are Imperial Beach’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Imperial Beach children attend outscore 51% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #469 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Imperial Beach in?
Two districts: South Bay Union School District runs grades K–8, and Sweetwater Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Chula Vista, Coronado, National City and San Diego.
Where do Imperial Beach kids go to high school?
Mar Vista Senior High, with 1,216 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Imperial Beach’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 Imperial Beach spend per student?
$22,182 in South Bay Union School District and $16,482 in Sweetwater Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Imperial Beach families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Imperial Beach → 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.