Photo: Tuxyso · CC BY-SA 3.0Rancho Santa Fe’s public schools outscore 94% of California districts
In Rancho Santa Fe, 67% of tested students are proficient in math, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Rancho Santa Fe, 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 94% 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.
Rancho Santa Fe’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 213 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rancho Santa Fe’s, its schools beat 87%, lower than their 94% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 78% and math 67% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
San Dieguito Union High spends $15,720 per student and Rancho Santa Fe Elementary $28,096, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Rancho Santa Fe’s grade
A: better than 94% of California school districts. 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 Rancho Santa Fe, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Elementary
Grades K–5 · 316 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Elementary
Grades K–5 · 316 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Elementary
Grades K–5 · 316 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Elementary
Grades K–5 · 316 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Elementary
Grades K–5 · 316 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Elementary
Grades K–5 · 316 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Middle
Grades 6–8 · 189 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Middle
Grades 6–8 · 189 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rancho Santa Fe
R. Roger Rowe Middle
Grades 6–8 · 189 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Rancho Santa Fe runs its own schools through grade 8 (Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School District). From grade 7, students attend the San Dieguito Union High School District, shared with Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, San Marcos and Solana Beach. Its high school is in San Diego. Parts of Rancho Santa Fe (12% of its land) are served by Solana Beach Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Rancho Santa Fe
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
Rancho Santa Fe vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Rancho Santa Fe’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rancho Santa Fe | A | Rancho Santa Fe Elementary K–8 · San Dieguito Union High 7–12 |
Every school in Rancho Santa Fe
6 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 Rancho Santa Fe’s schools
Are Rancho Santa Fe’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Rancho Santa Fe children attend outscore 94% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rancho Santa Fe in?
Two districts: Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and San Dieguito Union High School District runs grades 7–12, shared with Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, San Marcos and Solana Beach.
Where do Rancho Santa Fe kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Torrey Pines High, Canyon Crest Academy, San Dieguito HS Academy and La Costa Canyon High.
What is Rancho Santa Fe’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in San Dieguito Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Rancho Santa Fe spend per student?
$15,720 in San Dieguito Union High School District and $28,096 in Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Rancho Santa Fe families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rancho Santa Fe → 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.