School quality is one of the most important factors that parents consider when determining where to buy a home, condominium or townhouse. In the past, it was difficult to evaluate the quality of schools because no consistent evaluation standards existed between states, and sometimes between counties within a state. However, federal legislation such as No Child Left Behind (passed in 2002) sought to remedy this situation. But even before 2002, some states anticipated the need for greater consistency and accountability within their schools. For example, in 1999, legislators in California passed the California Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA). Among many other requirements, the PSAA established a school performance metric known as the Academic Performance Index (API).

The API was designed to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. The API is reported as a numerical score that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. Schools in California are expected to achieve a score of 800 or higher. The API score is evaluated over a two-year cycle. This first year is considered the Base API Score, and the second year is considered the API Growth Score. To determine if a school has improved from the pervious year, simply compare the base score against the growth score.

In California, the API is calculated based on data from a variety of tests administered at different grade levels. These tests cover a broad range of academic topics such as: English, Writing, Math, History, Social Science, Language Arts, Science and General Knowledge. Results from each of the tests are consolidated and weighted to form the annual API score for a school, district, and county. These tests are administered annually and the API results are reported in late August or early September every year.

If you’re thinking of buying a home or any other type of real estate in San Diego County, you may be interested in knowing which are the best performing elementary, middle and high schools in the region.

Top 25 Public Elementary Schools in San Diego County (2006)

The list below ranks the top 25 elementary schools within the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed is the school’s district, their 2005 API score, and the number of students tested within the school. As mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above.

1.Sage Canyon (Del Mar Union District). 2006 API = 966; 2005 API = 963; Students: 480
2.Creek Side (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 961; 2005 API = 955, Students: 520
3.Ashley Falls (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = 958; 2005 API = 943, Students: 439
4.Carmel Creek (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 956; 2005 API = 946, Students: 288.
5.Solana Pacific (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 954; 2005 API = 945, Students: 452.
6.Torrey Hills (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = 952; 2005 API = 950, Students: 531.
7.Solana Highlands (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 949; 2005 API = 947, Students: 292.
8.Del Mar Heights (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = 947; 2005 API = 929, Students: 299
9.Deer Canyon (Poway Unified School District). 2006 API = 947; 2005 API = 924, Students: 403.
10.Bird Rock Elementary (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 943; 2005 API = 948, Students: 301.
11.El Camino Creek (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 941; 2005 API = 928, Students: 653.
12.Park Village (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 940; 2005 API = 917, Students: 560.
13.Flora Vista (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 912, Students: 346.
14.Olivenhain Pioneer (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 928, Students: 555.
15.Rancho Santa Fe (Rancho Santa Fe Elementary District). 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 942, Students: 571.
16.Solana Santa Fe (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 938; 2005 API = 934, Students: 284.
17.Kelley Elementary (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 934; 2005 API = 925, Students: 349.
18.Robert E. Dingeman (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 932; 2005 API = 930, Students: 554.
19.Mission Estancia (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 925; 2005 API = 922 Students: 382.
20.Chaparral (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 924; 2005 API = 894, Students: 529.
21.Jerabek (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 924; 2005 API = 928, Students: 545.
22.Scripps -Ellen Browning (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 924; 2005 API = 924, Students: 333.
23.Curie (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 923; 2005 API = 910, Students: 389
24.Painted Rock (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 922; 2005 API = 912, Students 450.
25.Hearst (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 922; 2005 API = 903, Students: 263

Top 25 Public Middle Schools in San Diego County (2006)

The list below ranks the top 25 middle schools within the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed is the school’s district, their 2005 API score, and the number of students tested within the school. As mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above.

1.Carmel Valley (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 941; 2005 API = 931; Students: 1,252.
2.Rancho Santa Fe (Rancho Santa Fe Elementary). 2006 API = 938; 2005 API = 933. Students: 101.
3.Warren (Earl) Middle (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 908; 2005 API = 885. Students: 551.
4.Mesa Verde Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 904; 2005 API = 895, Students: 1,355.
5.Diegueno (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 896; 2005 API = 873; Students: 931.
6.Oak Valley (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 892; 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: 599.
7.Thurgood Marshall (San Diego Unified) 2006 API = 891; 2005 API = 888, Students: 1,075.
8.Bernardo Heights (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 877; 2005 API = 878, Studnets: 1,331.
9.Muirlands Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 877; 2005 API = 860, Students: 1,010.
10.High Tech Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 876; 2005 API = 865, Students: 348.
11.Coronado Middle (Coronado Unified). 2006 API = 874; 2005 API = 872, Students: 671.
12.Twin Peaks Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 873; 2005 API = 868, Students: 1,505.
13.Aviara Oaks Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 872; 2005 API = 864, Students:761.
14.KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 858; 2005 API = 754, Students: 234.
15.High Tech Middle International (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 856. 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: 302.
16.Hillsdale Middle (Cajon Valley Union Elementary). 2006 API = 852; 2005 API = 835, Students: 1,492.
17.Oak Crest Middle (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 852; 2005 API = 851, Students: 959.
18.Black Mountain Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 844; 2005 API = 845, Students: 1,289.
19.Calavera Hills Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 840; 2005 API = 830. Students: 489.
20.Meadowbrook Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 838; 2005 API = 845, Students: 1,370.
21.Mac Queen (Joan) (Alpine Union Elementary). 2006 API = 817; 2005 API = 803, Students: 781.
22.Valley Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 816; 2005 API = 800, Students: 1026.
23.Standley Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 816; 2005 API = 838, Students: 1,297.
24.Wangenheim (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 816; 2005 API = 797, Students: 1,208.
25.Valley Center Middle (Valley Center-Pauma Unified). 2006 API = 815; 2005 API = 762, Students: 642.

Top 25 Public High Schools in San Diego County (2006)

The list below ranks the top 25 high schools within the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed is the school’s district, their 2005 API score, and the number of students tested within the school. As mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above.

1.River Valley Charter (Lakeside Union Elementary). 2006 API = 888; 2005 API = 868, Students: 142.
2.Preuss Model School at UCSD (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 879; 2005 API = 861, Students: 681.
3.Canyon Crest Academy (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 868; 2005 API = 842, Students: 824.
4.Coronado High (Coronado Unified). 2006 API = 851; 2005 API = 838, Students: 745.
5.San Dieguito High Academy (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 836; 2005 API = 814, Students: 1,096.
6.Rancho Bernardo High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 833; 2005 API = 832, Students: 2,059.
7.Torrey Pines High (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 832; 2005 API = 821, Students: 2,145.
8.High Tech High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 829; 2005 API = 792, Students: 373.
9.La Jolla Senior High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 822; 2005 API = 834, Students: 1,235.
10.Westview High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 820; 2005 API =809, Students:1,594.
11.Poway High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 815; 2005 API = 829, Students: 2,235.
12.Mt. Carmel High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 806; 2005 API = 824, Students: 1,620.
13.La Costa Canyon High (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 805; 2005 API = 782, Students: 1,880.
14.School of International Studies at S. D. (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 797; 2005 API = 795. Students:349.
15.Dehesa Charter School (Dehesa Elementary). 2006 API = 793; 2005 API = 785, Students: 376.
16.High Tech International (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 789; 2005 API = 764, Students: 269.
17.Scripps Ranch High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 789; 2005 API = 799, Students: 1,677.
18.High Tech Media Arts (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 777; 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: 159.
19.Carlsbad High (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 775; 2005 API = 768, Students: 2,145.
20.Escondido Charter (Escondido Union High). 2006 API = 775; 2005 API = 755, Students: 533.
21.Mira Mesa (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 775; 2005 API = 758, Students: 1,795.
22.Julian High (Julian Union High). 2006 API = 767; 2005 API =726, Students: 154.
23.University City High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 766; 2005 API = 766, Students: 1,350.
24.Valhalla High (Grossmont Union High). 2006 API = 763; 2005 API = 739, Students: 1,437.
25.Steele Canyon High (Grossmont Union High). 2006 API = 748; 2005 API = 735, Students: 1,501.

The rankings above include only schools that were classified by the California Department of Education as specifically an elementary, middle or high school. Schools classified in the “small” school category (which have less than 100 students) or “alternate” schools were not included in this ranking. Readers should verify the accuracy of the ratings above by visiting the California Department of Education’s Web site.