Photo: Perdelsky at English Wikipedia · Public domainPoway’s public schools outscore 89% of California districts
Math proficiency in Poway’s districts is 61%, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Poway, 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.
Poway’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 72% and math 61% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Escondido Union High spends $21,430 per student and Poway Unified $16,156, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Michael's School (private), Country Montessori School of Poway (private), Legacy Montessori School (private), Montessori Child Development Center (private) and Skills Learning Center (private) are in town. Pacific Coast Academy and Cabrillo Point 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 Poway’s grade
A: better than 89% of California school districts, #77 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 Poway, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Poway · depends on your address
Twin Peaks Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,164 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Meadowbrook Middle
Grades 6–8 · 972 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Poway · depends on your address
Twin Peaks Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,164 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Meadowbrook Middle
Grades 6–8 · 972 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Poway · depends on your address
Twin Peaks Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,164 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Meadowbrook Middle
Grades 6–8 · 972 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Poway
Poway High
Grades 9–12 · 2,101 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Poway
Poway High
Grades 9–12 · 2,101 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Poway
Poway High
Grades 9–12 · 2,101 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Poway runs its own schools through grade 12 (Poway Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Escondido Union High School District, shared with Escondido and San Marcos. Parts of Poway (4% of its land) are served by Ramona City Unified instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Poway
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Poway vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Poway’s borders.
Every school in Poway
18 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 Poway’s schools
Are Poway’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Poway children attend outscore 89% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #77 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Poway in?
Two districts: Poway Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Escondido Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Escondido and San Marcos.
Where do Poway kids go to high school?
Poway High, with 2,101 students.
What is Poway’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Poway Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Poway spend per student?
$21,430 in Escondido Union High School District and $16,156 in Poway Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Poway?
Yes: St. Michael's School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 603 students), Country Montessori School of Poway (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 149 students), Legacy Montessori School (religious, grades PK–4, 88 students), Montessori Child Development Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 35 students) and Skills Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Poway families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Poway → 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.