La guía de escuelas en San Diego para padres en español

Voice of San Diego’s 2026 A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools helps families make informed decisions about their child’s education.

The guide explains school choice opportunities and enrollment deadlines, what’s available for after-school care, school performance data in an easy-to-use format and much more. See stories from the guide below .

The guide is generously supported by The Girard Foundation, David and Annie Malcolm, Girl Scouts San Diego, UC San Diego Extension Studies, San Diego Regional EDC, City of San Diego Retired Employees Association and all of our members.

Credit: Alexander Mostov for Voice of San Diego

Download Your 2026 Guide

Enter your email to unlock instant access.

Download Your 2026 Guide(Required)
Email(Required)
Consent(Required)

Get a Hard Copy

Printed copies of the guide are available through the following public libraries and agencies.

Distribution Partners
  • Barrio Logan College Institute
  • Carlsbad City Library
  • Child Development Associates
  • Children’s Discovery Museum
  • Chula Vista Library
  • Encinitas 4 Quality Education
  • Education Enrichment Systems
  • Escondido Public Library
  • Elementary Institute of Sciences
  • Foster Family Services/SDCOE
  • Hilltop Child Development Center
  • Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
  • Jeff and Deni Jacobs Child Development Center
  • Jewish Community Center
  • Jewish Family Service
  • MAAC
  • National City Library
  • Neighborhood House
  • Oceanside Public Library
  • San Diego City Library
  • San Diego County Library
  • SDSU Women’s Resource Center
  • San Ysidro Health Center
  • Say San Diego
  • Vista Innovation Early Education Center
  • Vista Unified School District
  • YMCA Childcare Resources

Parent’s Guide Workshops

Join us for free community workshops to learn how to use A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools and explore your child’s education options.

Upcoming Workshops

Featured Public Workshop

Children’s Museum of Discovery Workshop
Monday, Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
320 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025

Wondering about your child’s educational options? Want to know how your child’s school compares to others in the area? Curious about after-school care options?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, join us to learn more about how to use Voice of San Diego’s Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools.

How to Pick A School for Your Child

Swipe through the images to learn about school choice.

Stories from the Guide (and Beyond)

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

The Data

Search for a school, city or district. You can also sort columns to help organize the data.
Scroll to the right to see test scores, graduation rates, average teaching years and more.

The Map

San Diego County School Districts

SCHOOL DISTRICTS & CHOICE WINDOWS

If you want to apply to transfer to another school within your school district, here are important dates to keep in mind.

Alpine Union School District

Dec. 8-April 10
Phone: 619-445-3236

Bonsall Unified

Opens Feb. 1
Phone: 760-631-5200

Borrego Springs

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply to this district.
Phone: 760-767-5357

Cajon Valley Union School District

Dec. 15-Feb. 2 (priority enrollment)
Note: Applications may be accepted year-round depending on space/capacity. Visit www.cajonvalley.net/transfers.
Phone: 619-588-3210

Cardiff School District

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply (two schools serve different grades).
Cardiff School: 760-632-5892
Ada Harris School: 760-632-5894

Carlsbad Unified School District

Jan. 5-Feb. 15
Phone: 760-331-5000

Chula Vista Elementary School District

Note: Information will be published in February at www.cvesd.org.
Phone: 619-425-9600

Coronado Unified School District

Opens in April
Phone: 619-522-8900
Email: transfer@coronadousd.net

Dehesa School District

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply to this school district.
Phone: 619-444-2161

Del Mar Union School District

Feb. 1-Feb. 28
Phone: 858-755-9301

Encinitas Union School District

Feb. 2-Feb. 27
Phone: 760-944-4300

Escondido Union High School District

Oct. 6-Jan. 9
Note: For more info visit www.euhsd.org.
Phone: 760-291-3200

Escondido Union School District

Dec. 1-Jan. 31
Phone: 760-432-2247

Fallbrook Union Elementary School District

Begins in March
Phone: 760-731-5442

Fallbrook Union High School District

Applications open year-round
Note: Parents need to schedule a meeting with counselors to apply.
Phone: 760-723-6332

Grossmont Union High School District

Dec. 1-February (date TBD)
Phone: 619-956-4357

Jamul-Dulzura Union School District

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply (two schools: TK-5 and 6-8).
Phone: 619-669-7705

Julian Union High School District

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply.
Phone: 760-765-0606

Julian Union School District

Open year-long
Phone: 760-765-0661

La Mesa-Spring Valley School District

Dec. 1-Feb. 16
Phone: 619-668-5700

Lakeside Union School District

Note: Not yet decided; visit www.lsusd.net for updates.
Phone: 619-390-2600

Lemon Grove School District

Dec. 1-Feb. 13
Note: Applications are open year-round; submit during the enrollment period for priority.
Phone: 619-825-5736

Mountain Empire Unified School District

Feb. 1-May 1 (of the preceding school year)
Note: Applications are open year-long; decisions depend on enrollment, space, and capacity.
Phone: 619-473-9022

National School District

March 2-May 8
Phone: 619-336-7500

Oceanside Unified School District

Dec. 8-Feb. 28
Phone: 760-966-4000

Poway Unified School District

Feb. 1-March 31
Phone: 858-521-2800

Ramona Unified School District

April 1-May 15
Phone: 760-787-2000

Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School District

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply (two schools based on grade level).
Phone: 858-756-1141

San Diego Unified School District

Closed Nov. 15, 2025 (for the 2025-26 school year)
Note: For the next enrollment period visit www.sandiegounified.org.
Phone: 619-260-2410

San Dieguito Union High School District

Enrollment period: Not yet decided; visit www.sduhsd.net/Parents–Students/Parent-Resources/Intradistrict-Transfers/ for updates.
Phone: 760-753-6491 x5596

San Marcos Unified School District

Jan. 5-March 31
Phone: 760-752-1237

San Pasqual Union School District

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply to this district.
Phone: 760-745-4931

San Ysidro School District

March-April
Note: Specific dates will be posted at www.sysdschools.org. Transfers are first come, first served.
Phone: 619-428-4476

Santee School District

March 1-May (deadline TBD in May)
Note: Check www.santeesd.net for updates.
Phone: 619-258-2350

Solana Beach School District

Feb. 1-Feb. 20
Phone: 858-794-7187

South Bay Union School District

March 1-May 1
Note: Applications are open year-round; submit within the enrollment period for priority.
Phone: 619-628-1602

Spencer Valley School District

Note: Intradistrict transfers do not apply to this district.
Phone: 760-765-0336

Sweetwater Union High School District

January-March (dates TBD)
Note: Dates will be posted at the beginning of January at https://studentservices.sweetwaterschools.org/.
Phone: 619-691-5564

Vallecitos School District

Window opens Jan. 1
Note: Applications are open year-round.
Phone: 760-728-7092

Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District

January-May 5
Phone: 760-749-0464

Vista Unified School District

Second week of January-March 15
Note: Applications are accepted year-round.
Phone: 760-726-2170 ext 92180

Warner Unified School District

Open year-long
Phone: 760-782-3517

San Diego School Districts Map
Borrego Springs Unified
Fallbrook Union Elementary
Fallbrook Union High
Vallecitos
Bonsall Unified
Warner Unified
Alpine Union
Poway Unified
San Diego Unified
Chula Vista Elementary
Escondido Union
Cajon Valley Union
Cardiff
Carlsbad Unified
Coronado Unified
Dehesa
Del Mar Union
Encinitas Union
Escondido Union High
Grossmont Union High
Jamul-Dulzura Union
Julian Union
Julian Union High
La Mesa-Spring Valley
Lakeside Union
Lemon Grove
Mountain Empire Unified
National School District
Oceanside Unified
Ramona Unified
Rancho Santa Fe Elementary
San Dieguito Union High
San Marcos Unified
San Pasqual Union
San Ysidro
Santee
Solana Beach
South Bay Union
Spencer Valley
Sweetwater Union High
Valley Center-Pauma Unified
Vista Unified

Charter Schools

The charter schools listed below operate independently from school districts, including enrollment, employment, and governance.

Albert Einstein Academies (San Diego Unified)

3035 Ash St San Diego,
CA 92102

All Tribes Charter (Warner Unified)

34320 Valley Center Rd,
Valley Center, CA 92082

All Tribes Elementary Charter (Warner Unified)

34320 Valley Center Rd,
Valley Center, CA 92082

America’s Finest Charter (San Diego Unified)

730 45th St, San Diego,
CA 92102

Arroyo Vista Charter (Chula Vista Elementary)

Chula Vista Elementary

Audeo Charter II (San Diego County Office of Education)

2491 School House Rd, Chula Vista,
CA 91915

Audeo Charter School III (Escondido Union High)

200 E Via Rancho Pkwy #143, Escondido,
CA 92025

Barona Indian Charter (Lakeside Union Elementary)

1095 Barona Rd, Lakeside,
CA 92040

Baypoint Preparatory Academy – San Diego (San Marcos Unified)

San Marcos Unified

Bella Mente Montessori Academy (Vista Unified)

520 E Carmel St, San Marcos,
CA 92078

Bostonia Global (Cajon Valley Union)

1390 Broadway, El Cajon,
CA 92021

Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy (Julian Union Elementary)

Julian Union Elementary

Cabrillo Point Academy (Dehesa Elementary)

1704 Cape Horn Ave, Julian,
CA 92036

California Pacific Charter – San Diego (Warner Unified)

940 South Coast Dr.Ste. 185 Costa Mesa,
CA 92626

Charter School of San Diego (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

Chula Vista Learning Community Charter (Chula Vista Elementary)

590 K St, Chula Vista,
CA 91911

City Heights Preparatory Charter (San Diego Unified)

4260 54th St, San Diego,
CA 92115

Classical Academy (Escondido Union)

2950 South Bear Valley Pkwy.
Escondido 92025

Classical Academy High (Escondido Union High)

Escondido Union High

Classical Academy Vista (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Coastal Academy Charter (Oceanside Unified)

Oceanside Unified

College Preparatory Middle (La Mesa-Spring Valley)

La Mesa-Spring Valley

Community Montessori (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Compass Charter Schools of San Diego (Mountain Empire Unified)

Mountain Empire Unified

Darnall Charter (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

Diego Hills Central Public Charter (Dehesa Elementary)

Dehesa Elementary

Diego Valley East Public Charter (Julian Union Elementary)

Julian Union Elementary

Dimensions Collaborative (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Discovery Charter (Chula Vista Elementary)

Chula Vista Elementary

Dual Language Immersion North County (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

EJE Elementary Academy Charter (Cajon Valley Union)

Cajon Valley Union

EJE Middle Academy (Cajon Valley Union)

Cajon Valley Union

Elevate School (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

Elite Academic Academy – Mountain Empire (Mountain Empire Unified)

Mountain Empire Unified

Empower Language Academy (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

Escondido Charter High (Escondido Union High)

Escondido Union High

Albert Einstein Academies (K-8)

Albert Einstein Charter Academy Elementary School
3035 Ash St, San Diego, CA 92102

Albert Einstein Academy Middle (6-8)

Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School
458 26th St, San Diego, CA 92102

America’s Finest Charter School (K-12)

America’s Finest Charter School
730 45th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Audeo Charter School (K-12) Ind. Study

Audeo Charter School
7520 Mesa College Dr, San Diego, CA 92111

Charter School of San Diego (6-12) Ind. Study

Charter School of San Diego
1095 K St Suite A, San Diego, CA 92101

City Heights Prep (6-12)

City Heights Prep
4260 54th St, San Diego, CA 92115

Darnall Charter School (K-8)

Darnall Charter School
6020 Hughes St, San Diego, CA 92115

e3 Civic High (9-12)

e3 Civic High
395 Eleventh Ave 6th floor, San Diego, CA 92101

Elevate School (K-8)

Elevate School
2285 Murray Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92123

Empower Language Academy (K-6)

Empower Language Academy
6402 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92111

Gompers Preparatory Academy (6-12)

Gompers Preparatory Academy
1005 47th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Harriet Tubman Village Charter School (K-8)

Harriet Tubman Village Charter School
6880 Mohawk St, San Diego, CA 92115

Health Sciences High School & Middle College (9-12)

Health Sciences High School & Middle College
3910 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

High Tech High (9-12)

High Tech High
2861 Womble Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

High Tech High International (9-12)

High Tech High International
2855 Farragut Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

High Tech High Media Arts (9-12)

High Tech High Media Arts
2230 Truxtun Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

High Tech High Mesa (9-12)

High Tech High Mesa
5331 Mt Alifan Dr, San Diego, CA 92111

High Tech Middle (6-8)

High Tech Middle
2359 Truxtun Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

High Tech Middle Media Arts (6-8)

High Tech Middle Media Arts
2230 Truxtun Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

Holly Drive Leadership Academy (K-8)

Holly Drive Leadership Academy
4801 Elm St, San Diego, CA 92102

Ingenuity Charter School (6-12) Ind. Study

Ingenuity Charter School
6130 Skyline Dr, San Diego, CA 92114

Innovations Academy (K-8)

Innovations Academy
5454 Ruffin Rd, San Diego, CA 92123

Kavod Charter School (K-8)

Kavod Charter School
6991 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111

Keiller Leadership Academy (K-8)

Keiller Leadership Academy
7270 Lisbon St, San Diego, CA 92114

King/Chavez Academy of Excellence (K-8)

King/Chavez Academy of Excellence
2716 Marcy Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

King/Chavez Arts and Athletics Academy (4-5)

King/Chavez Arts and Athletics Academy
415 31st St, San Diego, CA 92102

King/Chavez Athletics Academy (3-5)

King/Chavez Athletics Academy
500 30th St, San Diego, CA 92102

King/Chavez Community High School (9-12)

King/Chavez Community High School
201 A St, San Diego, CA 92101

King/Chavez Preparatory Academy (6-8)

King/Chavez Preparatory Academy
500 30th St, San Diego, CA 92102

King/Chavez Primary Academy (K-3)

King/Chavez Primary Academy
415 31st St, San Diego, CA 92102

KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy (5-8)

KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy
426 Euclid Avenue KIPP Adelante, San Diego, CA 92114

Learning Choice Academy (K-12) Ind. Study

Learning Choice Academy
4215 Spring St, La Mesa, CA 919414215 Spring St, La Mesa, CA 91941

Magnolia Science Academy (6-8)

Magnolia Science Academy
6525 Estrella Ave, San Diego, CA 92120

McGill School of Success (K-5)

McGill School of Success
3025 Fir St, San Diego, CA 92102

Museum School (K-8)

Museum School
211 Maple St, San Diego, CA 92103

O’Farrell Charter School (K-12)

O’Farrell Charter School
6130 Skyline Dr, San Diego, CA 92114

Old Town Academy (K-8)

Old Town Academy
2120 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110

Preuss School UCSD (6-12)

Preuss School UCSD
9600 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037

San Diego Cooperative Charter School (K-8)

San Diego Cooperative Charter School
7260 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92111

San Diego Global Vision Academy (K-8)

San Diego Global Vision Academy
3430 School St, San Diego, CA 92116

School for Entrepreneurship and Technology (9-12)

School for Entrepreneurship and Technology
3540 Aero Ct, San Diego, CA 92123

Urban Discovery Academy (K-12)

Urban Discovery Academy
840 14th St, San Diego, CA 92101

KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy (5-8)

KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy
426 Euclid Avenue KIPP Adelante, San Diego, CA 92114

Learning Choice Academy (K-12) Ind. Study

Learning Choice Academy
4215 Spring St, La Mesa, CA 91941

Magnolia Science Academy (6-8)

Magnolia Science Academy
San Diego, CA

McGill School of Success (K-5)

McGill School of Success
San Diego, CA

Museum School (K-8)

Museum School
San Diego, CA

O’Farrell Charter School (K-12)

O’Farrell Charter School
San Diego, CA

Old Town Academy (K-8)

Old Town Academy
San Diego, CA

Preuss School UCSD (6-12)

Preuss School UCSD
La Jolla, CA

San Diego Cooperative Charter School (K-8)

San Diego Cooperative Charter School
San Diego, CA

San Diego Global Vision Academy (K-8)

San Diego Global Vision Academy
San Diego, CA

School for Entrepreneurship and Technology (9-12)

School for Entrepreneurship and Technology
San Diego, CA

Urban Discovery Academy (K-12)

Urban Discovery Academy
San Diego, CA

Gompers Preparatory Academy (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

Greater San Diego Academy (Jamul-Dulzura Union Elementary)

Jamul-Dulzura Union Elementary

Harbor Springs Charter (Julian Union Elementary)

Julian Union Elementary

Helix High (Grossmont Union High)

Grossmont Union High

Heritage K-8 Charter (Escondido Union)

Escondido Union

High Tech High (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

Howard Gardner Community Charter (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Iftin Charter (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Integrity Charter (National Elementary)

National Elementary

JCS – Cedar Cove (Julian Union Elementary)

Julian Union Elementary

JCS – Manzanita (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

JCS – Mountain Oaks (Julian Union Elementary)

Julian Union Elementary

JCS – Pine Valley (Mountain Empire Unified)

Mountain Empire Unified

Julian Charter (Julian Union Elementary)

Julian Union Elementary

Kidinnu Academy (Cajon Valley Union)

Cajon Valley Union

Learning Choice Academy – Chula Vista (Chula Vista Elementary)

Chula Vista Elementary

The Learning Choice Academy – East County (Grossmont Union High)

Grossmont Union High

Literacy First Charter (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Magnolia Science Academy (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

MethodSchools (Dehesa Elementary)

Dehesa Elementary

Mueller Charter (Robert L.) (Chula Vista Elementary)

Chula Vista Elementary

Pacific Coast Academy (Dehesa Elementary)

Dehesa Elementary

Pacific Springs Charter (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Pacific View Charter (Oceanside Unified)

Oceanside Unified

San Diego Global Vision Academy (San Diego Unified)

San Diego Unified

San Diego Virtual (Mountain Empire Unified)

Mountain Empire Unified

San Diego Workforce Innovation High (Borrego Springs Unified)

Borrego Springs Unified

Scholarship Prep – Oceanside (San Diego County Office of Education)

San Diego County Office of Education

Sparrow Academy (La Mesa-Spring Valley)

La Mesa-Spring Valley

Steele Canyon High (Grossmont Union High)

Grossmont Union High

The Heights Charter (Dehesa Elementary)

Dehesa Elementary

Vivian Banks Charter (Bonsall Unified)

Bonsall Unified

San Diego School Districts Map
Albert Einstein Academies
All-Tribes
All Tribes Elementary
Americas Finest
Arroyo Vista
Baypoint Preparatory
Bella Mente
Cabrillo Point
California Pacific
Charter School SD
Chula Vista Learning
City Heights Prep
Classical Academy
Classical Academy High
Classical Academy Vista
Coastal Academy
College Prep
Community Montessori
Compass Charter SD
Darnall Charter
Diego Hills Central
Diego Valley East
Dimensions Collaborative
Discovery Charter
Dual Language Immersion North County
EJE Elementary Academy Charter
EJE Middle Academy
Elevate School
Elite Academic Academy – Mountain Empire
Empower Language Academy
Escondido Charter High
Feaster (Mae L.) Charter
Gompers Preparatory Academy
Greater San Diego Academy
Harbor Springs Charter
Helix High
Heritage K-8 Charter
High Tech High
Howard Gardner Community Charter
Iftin Charter
Integrity Charter
JCS – Cedar Cove
JCS – Manzanita
JCS – Mountain Oaks
JCS – Pine Valley
Julian Charter
Kidinnu Academy
Learning Choice Academy – Chula Vista
The Learning Choice Academy – East County
Literacy First Charter
Magnolia Science Academy
MethodSchools
Mueller Charter (Robert L.)
Pacific Coast Academy
Pacific Springs Charter
Pacific View Charter
San Diego Global Vision Academy
San Diego Virtual
San Diego Workforce Innovation High
Scholarship Prep – Oceanside
Sparrow Academy
Steele Canyon High
The Heights Charter
Vivian Banks Charter
Vista Springs Charter
Imperial Beach Charter
Nestor Language Academy Charter
California Virtual Academy @ San Diego
Insight @ San Diego
Hawking S.T.E.A.M. Charter
MAAC Community Charter
Guajome Learning Center
Guajome Park Academy Charter
North County Trade Tech High
SIATech
Pathways Academy Charter – Adult Education
Sage Oak Charter School – South
San Diego Mission Academy
Sweetwater Secondary
Grossmont Secondary
Pivot Charter School – San Diego II
High Tech Elementary Chula Vista
High Tech Elementary Mesa
High Tech Elementary North County
High Tech High Chula Vista
High Tech High Mesa
High Tech High North County
High Tech Middle Chula Vista
High Tech Middle Mesa
High Tech Middle North County

Transfer Choice Window

Placeholder content 2

Transfer Choice Window

Placeholder content 3

Transfer Choice Window

Placeholder content 4
The Learning Curve

The Learning Curve
Your biweekly update on the state of education in San Diego County schools.​ Every other Wednesday

Ask Us Anything

If you have questions or comments about the guide, email info@voiceofsandiego.org.

You can also ask us questions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our contact page.

Thanks and Support

Voice of San Diego is a member supported nonprofit news organization. We thank the corporate and community partners, foundations and members who make our work possible.

A special thanks to the following for their sponsorship of this guide.

Girard Foundation
David and Annie Malcolm
San Diego Public Library
UC San Diego Extension
San Diego Economic Development Corporation
REA