Photo: Der-wuppertaler · CC BY-SA 3.0National City’s public schools outscore 56% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving National City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 25% of students in National City’s public schools are proficient in math, 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.
National City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 449 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of National City’s, its schools beat 73%, higher than their 56% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 47% and math 25% 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 National Elementary $24,617, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Integrity Charter and San Diego Workforce Innovation High 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 National City’s grade
B: better than 56% of California school districts, #424 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 National City, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in National City · depends on your address
Granger Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 724 students · 22:1 students per teacher
National City Middle
Grades 7–8 · 709 students · 26:1 students per teacher
8th grade in National City · depends on your address
Granger Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 724 students · 22:1 students per teacher
National City Middle
Grades 7–8 · 709 students · 26:1 students per teacher
9th grade in National City · depends on your address
Sweetwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,290 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Granger Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 724 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in National City
Sweetwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,290 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in National City
Sweetwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,290 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in National City
Sweetwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,290 students · 25:1 students per teacher
National City runs its own schools through grade 6 (National Elementary School District). From grade 7, students attend the Sweetwater Union High School District, shared with Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and San Diego. Parts of National City (5% of its land) are served by Chula Vista Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve National City
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
National City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share National City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Chula Vista | B+ | Chula Vista Elementary K–6 · Sweetwater Union High 7–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Sweetwater Union High with National City for grades 7–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in National City
15 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 (National School District Preschool).
Questions about National City’s schools
Are National City’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools National City children attend outscore 56% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #424 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is National City in?
Two districts: National Elementary School District runs grades K–6, and Sweetwater Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and San Diego.
Where do National City kids go to high school?
Sweetwater High, with 2,290 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is National City’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 National City spend per student?
$16,482 in Sweetwater Union High School District and $24,617 in National Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What National City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near National City → 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.