Vista Unified
Vista Unified has 23 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 39.4/100 — 4.3 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Mission Vista High at 71/100, where 40.2% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $13,817 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 21.2%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Avg Score | Schools | Exceeded | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Developing 40.7/100 | 14 | 18.1% | 16.3% |
| Middle | Developing 33.1/100 | 4 | 13.5% | 20.8% |
| High | Developing 41.0/100 | 5 | 14.2% | 35.2% |
K–12 pipeline
The typical school path in Vista Unified, top-scoring shown first.
District Analysis
Strongest level: Vista Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 41.0.
Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -5.2pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.
Consistency: Score range of 60.4 points — showing significant variation between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 21.2%, 3.1pp below the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 3.2%, near the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: Mission Vista High leads the district at 71 with 40.2% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
School archetypes in Vista Unified
Hidden gems: 3 schools in Vista Unified are classified as On the Rise (3) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Vista Unified spends $13,817 per student in current expenditures — $997 below the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
Elementary Schools (14)
Vista Unified has 14 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 40.7 — 3.1 points below the state average of 43.8.
Growth averages -5.2pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring elementary school is Casita Center for Science/Math/Technology with a Scope Score of 61 and 39.2% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casita Center for Science/Math/Technology Vista Unified Strong All-Around | 39.2% | Solid 61/100 |
| 2 | Empresa Elementary Vista Unified Solid Base | 36.8% | Solid 59/100 |
| 3 | Alamosa Park Elementary Vista Unified Culture First | 26.6% | Solid 56/100 |
| 4 | Lake Elementary Vista Unified Culture First | 25.2% | Solid 51/100 |
| 5 | T.H.E Leadership Academy Vista Unified On the Rise | 18.6% | Developing 44/100 |
| 6 | Breeze Hill Elementary Vista Unified Building Momentum | 23.7% | Developing 43/100 |
| 7 | Mission Meadows Elementary Vista Unified On the Rise | 17.9% | Developing 41/100 |
| 8 | Monte Vista Elementary Vista Unified Building Momentum | 16.2% | Developing 40/100 |
| 9 | Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Vista Unified Building Momentum | 11.3% | Developing 33/100 |
| 10 | Grapevine Elementary Vista Unified Building Momentum | 10.0% | Developing 32/100 |
| 11 | Hannalei Elementary Vista Unified Building Momentum | 9.4% | Developing 30/100 |
| 12 | Bobier Elementary Vista Unified On the Rise | 5.0% | Needs Support 27/100 |
| 13 | Foothill Oak Elementary Vista Unified Building Momentum | 5.6% | Needs Support 26/100 |
| 14 | Maryland Elementary Vista Unified Building Momentum | 7.3% | Needs Support 26/100 |
Middle Schools (4)
Vista Unified has 4 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.1 — 7.3 points below the state average of 40.5.
Growth averages -3.2pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.
The highest-scoring middle school is Vista Magnet Middle School of Technology, Science, with a Scope Score of 45 and 21.4% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vista Magnet Middle School of Technology, Science, Vista Unified Building Momentum | 21.4% | Developing 45/100 |
| 2 | Vista Innovation and Design Academy Vista Unified Building Momentum | 14.4% | Developing 37/100 |
| 3 | Madison Middle Vista Unified Building Momentum | 9.9% | Needs Support 26/100 |
| 4 | Roosevelt Middle Vista Unified Building Momentum | 8.1% | Needs Support 25/100 |
High Schools (5)
Vista Unified has 5 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 41.0 — 6.4 points below the state average of 47.5. 1 of 5 high schools score above 70.
The highest-scoring high school is Mission Vista High with a Scope Score of 71 and 40.2% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mission Vista High Vista Unified Strong All-Around | 40.2% | Strong 71/100 |
| 2 | Rancho Buena Vista High Vista Unified Building Momentum | 23.9% | Solid 62/100 |
| 3 | Vista High Vista Unified Building Momentum | 6.6% | Developing 50/100 |
| 4 | Alta Vista High (Continuation) Vista Unified Building Momentum | 0.0% | Needs Support 12/100 |
| 5 | Major General Raymond Murray High Vista Unified Building Momentum | 0.0% | Needs Support 10/100 |
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology
Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Vista Unified
- Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
- Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
- Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
- Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
- Parent and community engagement levels
- Quality of special education and gifted programs
- How resources are distributed across schools within the district
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology