Edgemoor Farm Dairy Barn · Photo: Somewikistuff · CC BY-SA 3.0Santee’s public schools outscore 74% of California districts
On the state reading tests, 56% of Santee’s students scored proficient, above the California average (47%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Santee, 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 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.
Santee’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 38% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Grossmont Union High spends $20,908 per student and Santee $16,142, 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 Santee’s grade
B+: better than 74% of California school districts, #202 of 847 California towns. Test scores are above the California average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Santee, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Santee · depends on your address
West Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 1,624 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Santana High
Grades 9–12 · 1,621 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Santee · depends on your address
West Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 1,624 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Santana High
Grades 9–12 · 1,621 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Santee · depends on your address
West Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 1,624 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Santana High
Grades 9–12 · 1,621 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Santee · depends on your address
West Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 1,624 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Santana High
Grades 9–12 · 1,621 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Santee runs its own schools through grade 8 (Santee School District). From grade 9, students attend the Grossmont Union High School District, shared with El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Santee
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
Santee vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Santee’s borders.
Every school in Santee
10 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Santee Alternative and Santee Success Program).
Questions about Santee’s schools
Are Santee’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools Santee children attend outscore 74% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #202 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Santee in?
Two districts: Santee School District runs grades K–8, and Grossmont Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove.
Where do Santee kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: West Hills High and Santana High.
What is Santee’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Grossmont Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Santee spend per student?
$20,908 in Grossmont Union High School District and $16,142 in Santee School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Santee families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santee → 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.