Public school · San Diego Unified

University City High — Rating & test scores

6949 Genesee Avenue, San Diego · 1,465 students · Grades 9–12

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Campus map · © OpenStreetMap

Drawn from OpenStreetMap. Volunteers map it, so a new building may be missing. Buildings with no mapped height are drawn one storey high.

A picture of the campus, not an attendance boundary or a rating.

Schools maintain a closed campus policy. For students’ safety, visitors may enter a campus only with the school’s official permission; this drawing implies no permission to enter.

Scope Score 87

StrongScope Score · 89th percentile. Higher than 89 in 100 of the 1,498 California public high schools we score.

75 is the typical California school. 100 is the best result in the state. How the score is built

In 2024–25, 99% of the class graduated in four years (381 of 385); across California, 89%.

Source for this line
Source
CDE four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR), 2024–25
Students
students who started 9th grade together: 385
Comparison
California: graduates divided by students who started 9th grade together, across 2,281 public schools’ rows (our combination, not CDE’s published state rate; 432,702 of 487,177).

Overview

Is University City a good high school?

Strong. University City is higher than most California high schools on test results and attendance.

From spring 2026, the state calls its top two levels “Proficient or Advanced” (formerly “Met or Exceeded”).

Test results, spring 2025

English, Proficient or Advanced8778%
Math, Proficient or Advanced8146%
English, Advanced8948%
Math, Advanced8324%

Showing up, 2024–25

Attendance6417 in 100
University City’s place among California high schools, out of 100San Diego Unified’s other high schoolsBar colour, from the lowest quarter of schools to the highest

One more thing to know

In grade 11, spring 2026, 76% scored Proficient or Advanced in English (reading and writing) and 52% in math, against 57% and 32% across California.

Each bar is University City’s place among 1,498 California public high schools we score. Our calculation from California Department of Education records, updated October 15, 2026.

How to read these bars, and their sources

A place counts the schools out of 100 with a lower figure. The dashed line is the middle. Test results are from spring 2025, grade 11, the latest year with a high school Scope Score. That year the state called these levels Met or exceeded and Exceeded. Attendance counts students who missed 10% or more of school days; fewer is better, so a higher place means fewer such students.

Source for the sentence
California’s state tests (CAASPP), California Department of Education, spring 2026. All students tested in grade 11: 351 in English, 353 in math. California: CDE’s grade 11 rows for the whole state combined, weighted by students tested (our calculation; 414,559 in English and 413,523 in math tested).

In its own words

What does University City say about itself?

We haven’t read University City’s website yet. Until we do, the school’s own site is the best place to hear it in its own words.

Open universitycityhigh.org (opens in a new tab)

Nearby

How does it compare with schools nearby?

4 of the 7 high schools nearby have a higher Scope Score than University City. Each school is compared with every California high school.

Scope Score

8 high schools within 4.3 miles, highest score first. Under each name is how the school takes students.

  1. Preuss School UCSDCharter · its own lotteryScope Score 8891st
  2. High Tech High MesaCharter · its own lotteryScope Score 8891st
  3. Mt. Everest AcademySchool of choice · by applicationScope Score 8790th
  4. La JollaNeighborhood school · by addressScope Score 8789th
  5. University CityScope Score 8789th
  6. Mission BayNeighborhood school · by addressScope Score 8688th
  7. ClairemontNeighborhood school · by addressScope Score 7655th
  8. MadisonNeighborhood school · by addressScope Score 7442nd
San Diego UnifiedCharterMagnet or school of choice

A charter school takes applications from any family and holds a lottery when it has more applicants than seats. A magnet or other school of choice takes applications through its district.

Scope Score from California Department of Education state tests (CAASPP), spring 2025, grade 11. Distance is a straight line from this campus and is not an attendance boundary. See these schools on the map

Scores and family income

Further right, more students are from low-income families. Higher up, more students met or exceeded the standard in English.

50%75%0%25%50%75%100%

5 of 8 schools are named on the chart. Point at a dot or tap it to read any school.

English results: California Department of Education state tests (CAASPP), spring 2025, grade 11. Low-income is the share of students who qualified for free or reduced-price meals, 2024–25. The chart compares results, not causes.

Schools like it

How does University City compare with schools like it?

University City’s Scope Score is 87. 184 California high schools, counting University City, have a similar share of students from low-income families. Their typical score is 77. University City’s result is higher than 166 of them.

The five schools with the highest results of the 184

  1. Students from low-income families: 50%

    Scope Score 99Strong · 99th percentile

  2. Students from low-income families: 54%

    Scope Score 98Strong · 99th percentile

  3. Students from low-income families: 54%

    Scope Score 96Strong · 98th percentile

  4. Students from low-income families: 45%

    West Campus

    Sacramento

    Scope Score 95Strong · 98th percentile

  5. Students from low-income families: 47%

    Scope Score 94Strong · 97th percentile

184 California public high schools where 43% to 55% of students qualified for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. The chart compares results, not causes. Our calculation from California Department of Education records, spring 2025.

How the group is chosen

The group is every California public high school we score where 43% to 55% of students qualified for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. That is within 6 points of University City’s share. The count includes University City. Typical means the median: half are higher and half are lower. Schools differ in more than family income, and no score is changed for it. Our calculation from California Department of Education records: state tests (CAASPP), spring 2025, and school meal eligibility, 2024–25.

Over time

Have results changed?

English results were similar to 2025; math results were higher. English went from 78% to 76% and math from 46% to 52%.

Share at the state’s top two test levels, 2017 to 2026

Grade 11. Point at a year, tap it or use the arrow keys to read its figures.

English

No comparable testsNo tests25%50%75%2017201820192022202320242025202667%84%76%University CityThis school63%San Diego UnifiedDistrict57%CaliforniaCalifornia

Math

No comparable testsNo tests25%50%75%2017201820192022202320242025202639%59%52%University CityThis school36%San Diego UnifiedDistrict32%CaliforniaCalifornia

The lines break where a year has no comparable state test results. Each spring tests a different group of students. San Diego Unified’s line combines its 31 high schools we score (our calculation). Faint lines are its other schools. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP).

Each year’s results

The top two levels were called Met or Exceeded before 2026 and are called Proficient or Advanced now. San Diego Unified’s figure weights each school by the students it tested.

English, grade 11: share at the top two levels
SpringUniversity CitySan Diego UnifiedCaliforniaTested here
201784%67%60%445
201878%64%56%447
201980%63%57%419
202274%59%55%377
202380%61%55%378
202474%61%56%373
202578%64%57%321
202676%63%57%351
Math, grade 11: share at the top two levels
SpringUniversity CitySan Diego UnifiedCaliforniaTested here
201759%39%32%445
201851%38%31%447
201946%37%32%414
202245%31%27%379
202350%32%27%371
202448%32%28%374
202546%37%30%322
202652%36%32%353

Tests

How did students here do on state tests?

Well above California in both subjects.

English

76%

scored Proficient or Advanced.

13113145
San Diego Unified60%California57%

Math

52%

scored Proficient or Advanced.

28202032
San Diego Unified34%California32%
MinimalDeveloping levelProficientAdvanced

In grade 11, spring 2026, 76% scored Proficient or Advanced in English and 52% in math, against 57% and 32% across California.

The state published these results on October 15, 2026. What changed across California. Spring 2026, grade 11 combined. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP).

How does math compare with English?

In grade 11, spring 2026, math trails English by 24 percentage points in the share who scored Proficient or Advanced, against 25 points across California. The grade 11 cards above give each subject’s share.

All four test levels, with the number of students tested
Share of students tested at each level, spring 2026. The state’s test levels Advanced, Proficient, the Developing level (formerly Nearly met) and Minimal.
StudentsAdvancedProficientDeveloping levelMinimalTested
English, grade 11 · This school45%31%11%13%351
English, grade 11 · California27%30%21%22%414,559
English, grade 11 · San Diego Unified29%31%20%20%7,161
Math, grade 11 · This school32%20%20%28%353
Math, grade 11 · California16%16%20%48%413,523
Math, grade 11 · San Diego Unified16%18%21%45%7,162

Spring 2026, grade 11 combined: 351 tested in English, 353 tested in math. California combines the state’s results for the same grades, weighted by students tested (our calculation).

Who goes here

Who goes here?

Hispanic or Latino students are the largest group here, at 38% of students. 240 of 1,469 students missed 10% or more of school days.

Missing school, 2025–26

16in 100

students were chronically absent. That means they missed 10% or more of school days (240 of 1,469 students).

At the average San Diego Unified high school: 16 in 100. At the average California high school: 22 in 100.

Suspensions: 1.6% of students were suspended at least once (24 of 1,487). Average California high school 2.9%.

Students, 2024–25

1,465

students in grades 9–12.

Hispanic or Latino 38%White 34%Two or more races 12%Asian 11%Black or African American 4%Filipino 1%

Family income

49%

of students qualified for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25, 717 of 1,465. California: 63%.

Teachers, 2024–25

70

teachers, with 18 years of experience on average.

0% were in their first year.

95% of teaching positions had the right credential, 2021–22.

English learners

44%

of English learners moved up at least one level on the state’s English test (ELPAC), or stayed at the top, spring 2025 to spring 2026 (20 of 45 students).

San Diego Unified: 44%. California: 47%.

It counts students moving up the test’s levels, so a student can count here before becoming fluent. Sources: California Department of Education and the California School Dashboard. Each tile names its year.

Full student mix, 2025–26
StudentsHere
Hispanic or Latino38%
White34%
Two or more races12%
Asian11%
Black or African American4%
Filipino1%
American Indian or Alaska Native—
Pacific Islander—
Not reported—
Where these figures come from

Attendance and suspensions: California Department of Education, 2025–26. Student mix: the students the state’s attendance file counts, 2025–26; a dash means our records hold no count. English learner progress: California School Dashboard, 2026 . Student count: California Department of Education enrollment, 2024–25. Teachers: California Department of Education staffing files, 2024–25.

Teaching credentials: California’s School Accountability Report Card, 2024–25, measured in 2021–22: 66.7 of 70.4 full-time teaching positions. It counts positions, not individual teachers.

Student groups

How do kids like mine do here?

Three student groups here scored well above the same groups across California in English.

This schoolThe same group, California
  • Two or more races36 tested89%California 67%
  • Asian34 tested88%California 79%
  • White125 tested81%California 68%
  • Low-income157 tested64%California 49%
  • Hispanic or Latino134 tested64%California 49%
  • Students with disabilities32 tested41%California 19%

Low-income and Hispanic or Latino students and students with disabilities all score below California’s rate for all students statewide. 64% of low-income students scored Proficient or Advanced in English (grade 11, spring 2026), against 49% for the same group across California. The chart gives each group’s figures. Every group’s math results are in the table below.

Share who scored Proficient or Advanced, grade 11 English, spring 2026. Each group is compared with the same group in the same grades. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP).

Every group’s results, with the district

Low-income is the state’s “socioeconomically disadvantaged” group.

Proficient or Advancedgrade 11 · spring 2026
Group and subjectHerevs San Diego Unifiedvs California
Low-income · 157 tested in English, 158 in math
English64%+1450%+1549%
Math35%+1223%+1223%
Hispanic or Latino · 134 tested in English, 135 in math
English64%+1747%+1549%
Math34%+1420%+1321%
White · 125 tested in English, 126 in math
English81%+774%+1368%
Math59%+653%+1544%
Two or more races · 36 tested
English89%+1574%+2267%
Math75%+2451%+3243%
Asian · 34 tested
English88%+979%+979%
Math76%+1165%+967%
Students with disabilities · 32 tested
English41%+1625%+2219%
Math12%+39%+48%

Each gap is to the same group, grades and subject: in San Diego Unified, and across California. ■ Green: a group that is behind across California does much better here, by 10 points or more and more than twice the margin of error.

Black or African American and Filipino students: fewer than 30 tested here. No published rate here for American Indian or Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, homeless and military-family students, English learners and foster youth. That can reflect privacy rules or small numbers; it isn’t evidence of a gap. This table covers groups by income, race or ethnicity, language and disability; girls and boys aren’t split out.

After high school

How many students here graduate, and where do they go next?

99% of students graduated in four years in 2024–25. That compares with 89% across California. 79% were ready for college or career (state measure) in 2024–25. 83% of the class of 2023 enrolled in college within 12 months.

ready for college or career (state measure), 2024–25

79%

Across California: 52%.

of graduates finished the UC/CSU course list, 2024–25

69%

At the average California high school: 56%.

Graduation, college and university records

Preparation · each measure describes a different student group

Graduated in four years

99%

Across California: 89%

2024–25 · 381 of 385 students who started 9th grade together

Ready for college or career (state measure)

79%

Across California: 52%

2024–25 · 305 of 385 students in the state’s measure

Finished the UC/CSU course list

69%

Average California high school: 56%

2024–25 · 262 of 381 graduates finished the UC/CSU course list

Destinations · class of 2023

Where students who finished high school went

83% enrolled in college within 12 months · 379 students who finished high school

  • University of California UC detail ↓48 · 13%
  • California State University CSU detail ↓91 · 24%
  • California community college122 · 32%
  • In-state private19 · 5%
  • Out-of-state, 4-year31 · 8%
  • Out-of-state, 2-year2 · 1%
  • Not enrolled66 · 17%

Source: CDE college-going records, class of 2023. Shares are our arithmetic: each count divided by all high-school completers (graduates and other students who finished), rounded together so they total 100. “Not enrolled” does not describe employment, military service or other routes.

Where the class of 2023 went
83%enrolled in college within a year

379 completers, class of 2023

  • University of California48 (13%)
  • California State University91 (24%)
  • California community college122 (32%)
  • In-state private19 (5%)
  • Out-of-state, 4-year31 (8%)
  • Out-of-state, 2-year2 (1%)
  • Not enrolled66 (17%)

Source: CDE’s college-going rate for the class of 2023 (enrolled in college within 12 months). Shares are our arithmetic: count ÷ completers, rounded together so they total 100. A dash means we have no figure for that row; it isn’t zero.

Where these figures come fromEach measure’s source, student group and definition
Graduated in four years
2024–25 · 381 of 385 students who started 9th grade together. California Department of Education, adjusted cohort graduation records. Comparison is SchoolScope’s combination of graduates and cohort counts across the reference schools, not CDE’s published state rate.
Ready for college or career (state measure)
2024–25 · 305 of 385 students in the state’s measure. California Department of Education, College/Career Indicator (CCI), overall “Prepared” rate, among the students in the indicator’s group. Prepared is CDE’s overall classification, not AP participation or a college admission rate.
Finished the UC/CSU course list
2024–25 · 262 of 381 graduates finished the UC/CSU course list. California Department of Education, A–G completion records (graduates who met the UC/CSU course requirements). Course completion is separate from college enrollment.
Where students who finished high school went
CDE college-going records, class of 2023. College enrollment is counted for 12 months after finishing high school and matched to college records, so this runs about two years behind. A dash is unavailable, not zero.
A closer look: UC and CSU admission recordsApplied, admitted and enrolled, from each university system’s own records

UC’s own records

University of California

Fall 2025 first-year entry · counts, not a school rating

Applied
172
Admitted
114
Enrolled
52

By campus · fall 2025

  • UC San DiegoApplied 142 · Admitted 30 · Enrolled 13
  • UC IrvineApplied 132 · Admitted 23 · Enrolled 8
  • UCLAApplied 124 · Admitted 13 · Enrolled 7
  • UC BerkeleyApplied 106 · Admitted 5 · Enrolled 3
  • UC Santa BarbaraApplied 104 · Admitted 26 · Enrolled under 3
  • UC DavisApplied 78 · Admitted 31 · Enrolled 5
  • UC Santa CruzApplied 75 · Admitted 61 · Enrolled 9
  • UC RiversideApplied 52 · Admitted 48 · Enrolled 4
  • UC MercedApplied 36 · Admitted 35 · Enrolled under 3

These records don’t show the school’s effect on admission. A student can apply to several campuses, so campus counts don’t add up to the total. UC blanks counts under 5 applicants or under 3 admits or enrollees; “+” marks a partial count; a dash is unavailable. Source: UC admissions by source school.

Each fall since 2016

  • Fall 2025Applied 172 · Admitted 114 · Enrolled 52
  • Fall 2024Applied 176 · Admitted 124 · Enrolled 62
  • Fall 2023Applied 183 · Admitted 110 · Enrolled 52
  • Fall 2022Applied 211 · Admitted 111 · Enrolled 59
  • Fall 2021Applied 208 · Admitted 140 · Enrolled 84
  • Fall 2020Applied 178 · Admitted 128 · Enrolled 70
  • Fall 2019Applied 181 · Admitted 124 · Enrolled 80
  • Fall 2018Applied 207 · Admitted 124 · Enrolled 77
  • Fall 2017Applied 161 · Admitted 112 · Enrolled 69
  • Fall 2016Applied 181 · Admitted 116 · Enrolled 55

CSU’s own records

California State University

Fall 2025 first-year entry · counts, not a school rating

Applied
203
Admitted
199
Enrolled
74

By campus · falls 2021–2025 added together

Five years in each number, not one. CSU publishes campus counts only as five-year totals, so these aren’t comparable to the fall 2025 figures above or to UC’s one-fall campus bars.

  • San Diego StateApplied 932 · Admitted 630 · Enrolled 268
  • Cal Poly San Luis ObispoApplied 500 · Admitted 106 · Enrolled 40
  • Cal State Long BeachApplied 379 · Admitted 183 · Enrolled 11
  • Cal State San MarcosApplied 280 · Admitted 265 · Enrolled 28
  • Cal Poly PomonaApplied 211 · Admitted 160 · Enrolled 12
  • Cal State FullertonApplied 155 · Admitted 134 · Enrolled 8
  • San Francisco StateApplied 150 · Admitted 140 · Enrolled 18
  • Chico StateApplied 107 · Admitted 101 · Enrolled 8
  • Cal Poly HumboldtApplied 96 · Admitted 90 · Enrolled 6
  • San José StateApplied 96 · Admitted 83 · Enrolled under 6
  • Cal State LAApplied 79 · Admitted 76 · Enrolled under 6
  • Cal State Monterey BayApplied 67 · Admitted 67 · Enrolled under 6
  • Cal State NorthridgeApplied 54 · Admitted 52 · Enrolled under 6
  • Sacramento StateApplied 49 · Admitted 48 · Enrolled 7
  • Sonoma StateApplied 49 · Admitted 47 · Enrolled under 6
  • CSU Channel IslandsApplied 39 · Admitted 36 · Enrolled —
  • Cal State San BernardinoApplied 30 · Admitted 28 · Enrolled —
  • CSU BakersfieldApplied 29 · Admitted 28 · Enrolled —
  • Cal State East BayApplied 27 · Admitted 24 · Enrolled under 6
  • Fresno StateApplied 25 · Admitted 25 · Enrolled —
  • Cal State Dominguez HillsApplied 22 · Admitted 20 · Enrolled —
  • Cal Poly Maritime AcademyApplied 8 · Admitted 6 · Enrolled under 6
  • Stanislaus StateApplied 7 · Admitted 7 · Enrolled —

These records don’t show the school’s effect on admission. A student can apply to several campuses, so campus counts don’t add up to the total. CSU withholds counts under 6; a dash is unavailable. Students who reach CSU from a community college aren’t counted here. Source: CSU High School Success dashboard.

Each fall since 2021

  • Fall 2025Applied 203 · Admitted 199 · Enrolled 74
  • Fall 2024Applied 220 · Admitted 216 · Enrolled 92
  • Fall 2023Applied 208 · Admitted 197 · Enrolled 97
  • Fall 2022Applied 240 · Admitted 223 · Enrolled 85
  • Fall 2021Applied 216 · Admitted 199 · Enrolled 72
Advanced courses on record

AP courses the school is approved to teach

The College Board approved this school to teach 16 AP courses in 6 subjects for 2025–26.

College Board AP Course Audit Ledger · 2025–26. Authorization doesn’t show which courses run or who can take them; ask the school.

  • Math & Computer Science5
  • Sciences3
  • English2
  • History & Social Science4
  • World Languages & Cultures1
  • AP Capstone1
Every approved AP course16 courses in 6 subjects
Math & Computer Science 5
  • Calculus AB
  • Computer Science A
  • Computer Science Principles
  • Precalculus
  • Statistics
Sciences 3
  • Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Physics 1
English 2
  • English Language and Composition
  • English Literature and Composition
History & Social Science 4
  • Psychology
  • U.S. Government and Politics
  • United States History
  • World History: Modern
World Languages & Cultures 1
  • Spanish Language and Culture
AP Capstone 1
  • Seminar

What other courses and pathways are on record?

College courses in high school (dual enrollment)
330 students took one

2023–24

Students taking a college course for credit while in high school, often through a community college. Federal Civil Rights Data Collection, school-reported.

Family and staff answers

What would families and staff tell you?

Families and staff can answer a short set of questions about University City. These are not star ratings or reviews.

  1. Staff answers show once 5 people have answered.Until then this page shows no staff answers.
  2. Family answers show once 20 families have answered.Until then this page shows how many have answered.
  3. The questions are about the school, never a person.No question asks about a named teacher or staff member.
  4. Answers are never part of the Scope Score.They sit beside the state’s records and do not change a school’s score.
  5. Staff confirm a work email.Staff answers come only from people who confirmed an email address at San Diego Unified.

Families

No family answers yet

0 of 20 needed before answers show

  • Does the school tell you how your child is doing, in a way you understand, before report cards arrive?Usually · Sometimes · Rarely
  • When you contact the school with a question, do you hear back within two school days?Usually · Sometimes · Rarely · Haven’t contacted them
  • Can you get school information in the language you read best?Yes · Mostly · No
  • And 4 more questions.

Answer the family questionsResponder en españolHow family answers work

Staff

No staff answers yet

5 answers needed before they show

  • Would you send your own child to this school?Yes · Maybe · No
  • Do you plan to work at this school next year?Yes · Not sure · No
  • Do you have the materials and supplies you need to teach?Usually · Sometimes · Rarely
  • And 5 more questions.

Answer the staff questionsHow staff answers work

Money

Where does the money go?

$17,769 for each student in 2024–25. California’s high schools spent $20,309 for each student. San Diego Unified’s plan for 2026–27 covers $505 million.

$17,769

for each student at this school, 2024–25
Spent at the school
$10,766
The school’s share of district office costs
$7,003
Of the total, from federal funds
$1,392
  • University City$17,769
  • San Diego Unified high schools$19,590
  • California high schools$20,309

The district and California figures combine their high schools, weighted by enrollment (our calculation, 1,655 California schools). Spending does not show how well money is used. Source: California Department of Education, per-school spending report, 2024–25. Funding records ↓

San Diego Unified’s yearly plan

$505million

in the district’s plan for 2026–27

$186million

planned for services for English learners, low-income students and foster youth

This is the district’s plan. It is not this school’s own budget. The plan has 5 goals. The district’s page lists each one. The plan covers $505 million of $2.0 billion in total budgeted spending. Source: San Diego Unified Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), 2026–27. Read the district’s plan →

The neighborhood

What is the area around University City like?

These figures are for everyone who lives in ZIP code 92122. They are not figures for the families at University City.

Typical household income in a year

$105,177

Typical means half are higher and half are lower. The ZIP code is the school’s address, not its attendance area. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024, ZIP code area 92122.

Typical home value
$1,046,300
People who live in this ZIP code
45,411
Typical age
31.7 years
Adults 25 and older with a four-year college degree
75%

Questions to ask

What should I ask, and when?

Bring these 6 questions to University City. Confirm anything about applying with the school itself.

On a tour

  1. What extra help do Hispanic students get, and how do you know it’s working?34% of Hispanic students scored Proficient or Advanced in math, grade 11, spring 2026 (135 students tested); the same group across California: 21%
  2. Which courses and career pathways does the school run, and who can enroll?
  3. How do counselors help students plan for college, training or work?
  4. What support is available when a student falls behind on graduation requirements?

At the office

  1. What time does the day start and end, and is any day shorter?
  2. Is there care before or after school, and what does it cost?

Getting in

Which schools feed into University City, and how do I get in?

Ask San Diego Unified which school serves your address. From Standley Middle.

Each school’s standing compares it with California schools at its own level.

Middle · assigned
Standley Middle Scope Score 82Strong · 82nd percentile · 2026

Fed by 3 elementary schools

High · this school
University City High

Its middle school is assigned here.

From the district’s 2026 attendance boundaries, plus nearby estimates. A boundary doesn’t guarantee a place. Transfers, permits, magnets and other programs can change the path. Check your child’s address and current assignment with the district. Explore schools on the map

All feeding elementary schools (3)Grouped by the middle school each one feeds, with each school’s standing

Into Standley Middle

All recorded links and nearby alternatives

Elementary links

  • Curie Elementary

    Assigned

    Scope Score 88 · Strong · 91st percentile · elementary · 2026

  • Spreckels Elementary

    Assigned

    Scope Score 83 · Strong · 80th percentile · elementary · 2026

  • Doyle Elementary

    Assigned

    Scope Score 85 · Strong · 86th percentile · elementary · 2026

  • iHigh Virtual Academy

    Nearby same-district option · distance estimate, not a confirmed feeder · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 81 · Strong · 75th percentile · elementary · 2026

Middle-school links

  • Standley Middle

    Assigned

    Scope Score 82 · Strong · 82nd percentile · middle · 2026

Links do not guarantee placement. Charter, magnet, transfer and other admission routes can differ. Each school’s percentile compares it with California schools at its own level (continuation and alternative schools only with their own kind); the stages are not one ranking.

Where it is

Where is University City?

Address
6949 Genesee Avenue, San Diego 92122Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Administrator
Michael ParedesAs the state’s school directory lists it, last updated February 9, 2023.

A school’s place on the map is its address in the state directory. It does not show which homes the school serves. See nearby schools on the map

Short answers to 8 common questions

How do I get in?

Ask San Diego Unified which school serves your address. See the details ↓

Is University City a good high school?

University City High has a Scope Score of 87. It scored higher than 89 in 100 of California’s 1,498 scored public high schools (Strong, 89th percentile, spring 2025). See the details ↓

How often do students miss school or get suspended?

In 2025–26, 16 in 100 students missed 10% or more of school days, against 16 in 100 at the average San Diego Unified high school. 1.6% of students (24 of 1,487) were suspended at least once in 2025–26, against 2.9% at the average California high school. See the details ↓

How does math compare with English?

In grade 11, spring 2026, math trails English by 24 percentage points in the share who scored Proficient or Advanced, against 25 points across California. See the details ↓

How do kids like mine do here?

In spring 2026, 64% of low-income students in grade 11 at University City High in San Diego scored Proficient or Advanced in English, against 49% for the same group across California. See the details ↓

What could my child study here?

The College Board approved this school to teach 16 AP courses in 6 subjects for 2025–26.

  • 330 students took a college course for credit in 2023–24, by the federal Civil Rights Data Collection

See the details ↓

Where do students go after finishing high school here?

83% of the class of 2023 enrolled in college within 12 months, by CDE’s college-going records. See the details ↓

What should I ask on a visit?

The questions drawn from this page are under Questions to ask, ready to copy. See the details ↓

The full record

Source records

This page is built from 17 sets of records from public data sources. Every figure keeps its source, grades, year and count.

Data updated

October 15, 2026

Record sets on this page
17
Sources
California Department of EducationU.S. Census BureauUniversity of CaliforniaCollege BoardU.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil RightsNational Student Clearinghouse
State test years
2017–2026

Results

Students

After high school

Money and staff

Place, downloads and method

Score factorssource values, index and weights · 2024–25 · ranked #162 of 1,498 California high schools we score · #5 of 31 in San Diego Unified
Score factors, 2024–25
FactorSchoolIndexWeight
Graduation rate99%6325%
Exceeded standardaverage of English and math36%7222%
Ready for college or career (state measure)79%7220%
Met or exceededaverage of English and math62%6918%
Chronically absent17 in 100605%
Suspension rate1.7% (26 of 1,523)585%
English learners: top level30%725%

Index is where the school's value sits among the California high schools we score, from 0 to 100, where 50 is their average; it is not a percentile. School values are from 2024–25. Chronic absence and suspension are CDE's all-students school rates; the score uses an adjusted version of each that pulls small schools toward the average, so their index can sit nearer 50 than the rate suggests.

Scope Score by year2018–19 to 2024–25 · each year’s inputs, and the score for each year we could verify

The 2024–25 Scope Score, in the current-formula row below, uses the state’s college-or-career readiness measure, 2024–25. No verified earlier Scope Scores are available here.

Scope Score

School yearScope ScorePercentileRankComparison group
2024–258789#162California high schools · 1,498 schools · current formula

2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24 have records on file but no Scope Score we could verify against that year’s source files, so no score is shown for them.

School yearChronic absenceSuspension
2018–196 in 1002.1% (39 of 1,877)
2021–22not on filenot on file
2022–23not on filenot on file
2023–2413 in 1001.0% (15 of 1,535)
2024–2517 in 1001.7% (26 of 1,523)

Chronic absence and suspension are CDE’s all-students school rates for each year.

No 2019–20 or 2020–21 records in this SchoolScope series
Results by gradeEnglish and math · grade 11 · spring 2026 · % of tested students

What each level means: California's level descriptions.

English · 2025–26 results by grade

Share of students tested, spring 2026
EnglishTestedAdvancedProficientDeveloping levelMinimalProficient or AdvancedCaliforniaDifference
Grade 1135145%31%11%13%76%57%+19

California is CDE’s statewide English row for each grade, counting every student tested there; the comparisons in the chapters combine these rows for their grades, weighted by students tested (our calculation).

Math · 2025–26 results by grade

Share of students tested, spring 2026
MathTestedAdvancedProficientDeveloping levelMinimalProficient or AdvancedCaliforniaDifference
Grade 1135332%20%20%28%52%32%+20

California is CDE’s statewide math row for each grade, counting every student tested there; the comparisons in the chapters combine these rows for their grades, weighted by students tested (our calculation).

A grade the school doesn't teach has no row. “Suppressed” marks a result CDE blanks because fewer than 11 students tested (CDE’s reporting rule); “none tested” marks a grade CDE lists with no students tested; “not on file” marks a result missing from the records we hold. None of them means zero.

Every tested year2017–2026 · rates, tested counts, and each grade

English and math by test year · all tested grades

Year · subjectStudents with scoresTop levelTop two levels
2026 · English35145%76%
2026 · Math35332%52%
2025 · English32148%78%
2025 · Math32224%46%
2024 · English37344%74%
2024 · Math37426%48%
2023 · English37853%80%
2023 · Math37130%50%
2022 · English37748%74%
2022 · Math37925%45%
2019 · English41950%80%
2019 · Math41424%46%
2018 · English44750%78%
2018 · Math44728%51%
2017 · English44559%84%
2017 · Math44534%59%

Each year names its school year end (2026 = 2025–26). “Students with scores” counts each subject on its own, so don’t add the English and math counts together. A dash is unavailable, not zero.

Earlier years · grade and subject

Year · grade · subjectStudents with scoresMet or exceeded
2025 · Grade 11 · English32178%
2025 · Grade 11 · Math32246%
2024 · Grade 11 · English37374%
2024 · Grade 11 · Math37448%
2023 · Grade 11 · English37880%
2023 · Grade 11 · Math37150%
2022 · Grade 11 · English37774%
2022 · Grade 11 · Math37945%
2019 · Grade 11 · English41980%
2019 · Grade 11 · Math41446%
2018 · Grade 11 · English44778%
2018 · Grade 11 · Math44751%
2017 · Grade 11 · English44584%
2017 · Grade 11 · Math44559%

Current 2025–26 grade results appear above. “Students with scores” counts the students tested in that grade, subject and year. A missing result is not zero, and each year’s row is a different group of children.

Science (CAST)schoolwide · spring 2026
Science (CAST)TestedAdvancedProficientDeveloping levelMinimal
Schoolwide36027%36%36%2%

CAST is tested in grades 5 and 8, then once in grade 10, 11, or 12. This row is the school's all-student aggregate. Not part of the Scope Score.

Student groups: test resultsEnglish · spring 2026 · against the same group in the district and California
Group · EnglishTestedProficient or Advancedvs districtvs California
Low-income15764%+14+15
Hispanic or Latino13464%+17+15
White12581%+7+13
Attendance and suspensionsState records · this school and each student group · 2018–19 and 2025–26

CDE’s all-students school rates for 2024–25 and 2025–26; the change is the difference between the two rates as printed.

Year-over-year school rates
Chronic absenteeism2024–25 · 17 in 100 → 2025–26 · 16 in 100 · −1 in 100
Suspension rate2024–25 · 1.7% (26 of 1,523) → 2025–26 · 1.6% (24 of 1,487) · −0.1 percentage points
Group2018–192025–26Change
Female6 in 10017 in 100+11 in 100
Male7 in 10016 in 100+9 in 100
Asian2 in 1008 in 100+6 in 100
Black or African American3 of 4510 of 52—
Filipino5 of 783 of 21—
Hispanic or Latino8 in 10018 in 100+10 in 100
Two or more races8 in 10012 in 100+4 in 100
White5 in 10018 in 100+13 in 100
Students with disabilities12 in 10018 in 100+6 in 100
English learners6 of 9516 of 63—
Homeless4 of 1921 of 58—
Low-income8 in 10019 in 100+11 in 100
All students6 in 10016 in 100+10 in 100

Two reported school years only; no intervening-year result is implied. Where fewer than 100 students were counted, the cell shows the count and no change is printed. Source: CDE school-level chronic absenteeism by student group.

Graduation and readinessstate records · each rate for its own year and class of students
MeasureSource record
This school · CCI overall PreparedCDE College/Career Indicator · CCI source year 2025 · all students · all students in the current four-year graduation cohort, plus only Prepared fifth-year graduates from the prior cohort. Overall CCI Prepared rate 79% · numerator 305 students classified Prepared · denominator 385 CCI students.
California · CCI overall PreparedCDE statewide CCI cohort · CCI source year 2025 · all students · overall Prepared rate 52% · numerator 257,567 students classified Prepared · denominator 497,814 CCI students.
AP pathway among CCI Prepared studentsCDE College/Career Indicator · CCI source year 2025 · all students · AP pathway rate 71% · AP-pathway numerator 218 · denominator 305 (CCI Prepared students). This measure uses Prepared students as its denominator, not the whole CCI cohort; it is not an AP exam-taking rate or a count of AP courses offered. That cohort includes all students in the current four-year graduation cohort plus only Prepared fifth-year graduates from the prior cohort. In 2025 the pathway accepts two qualifying AP exams, two qualifying AP courses, or a combination of one of each in different subjects.

CDE's overall Prepared rate is the college-readiness factor in the Scope Score (20% of the high school score). The school rate is 305 of 385 CCI students, not the AP-only pathway or A–G completion rate. The California figure is CDE's statewide CCI student cohort, not an average of SchoolScope's comparable high schools or the SchoolScope school-rank pool.

Graduation rate
99%
AP route, among those ready for college or career
71%
2025 CDE CCI cohort · AP courses, exams, or both; share of students ready for college or career (CDE’s “Prepared”), not course offerings
Finished the UC/CSU course list (A–G)
69%
A–G are the 15 courses (across 7 subjects) required for UC/CSU eligibility
College-going rate
83%

These source periods and populations differ: graduation uses an adjusted cohort, while A–G completion and college-going use separately reported groups. The rates are shown individually, without a shared performance tier.

UC admissions, universitywidefall 2016–2025 · applied, admitted, enrolled, mean GPA · summed across CEEB codes
YearAppliedAdmittedEnrolledMean GPA (applied)Mean GPA (admitted)Mean GPA (enrolled)
2025172114523.994.054.15
2024176124623.944.034.07
2023183110524.004.144.18
2022211111593.984.114.18
2021208140843.964.124.17
2020178128703.964.034.13
2019181124803.904.064.16
2018207124773.854.094.11
2017161112693.894.014.03
2016181116553.813.964.00

Source: UC admissions by source school. Dated fall first-year UC applicants, admitted students, and enrollees. GPA is each group's mean weighted, capped high-school GPA for 10th/11th-grade college-preparatory courses. SchoolScope leaves GPA unavailable when several CEEB codes contribute rather than combining their means. UC blanks counts under 5 applicants or under 3 admits or enrollees, shown here as “under 5” or “under 3”; — means unavailable, and a reported zero remains zero. A + marks a partial SchoolScope sum of observed counts, not a complete total; missing contributions may be zero. No admit rate is computed here. Complete, matching counts can support a historical descriptive rate, but do not establish a school's effect or predict individual chances. Series shown from 2016.

UC admissions by campuslatest falls on file · each campus counted separately
CampusYearAppliedAdmittedEnrolled
Berkeley202510653
Berkeley20249643
Berkeley20239795
Berkeley202212375
Berkeley202196136
Davis202578315
Davis202486308
Davis202383385
Davis202279174
Davis2021100499
Irvine2025132238
Irvine20241133412
Irvine2023117185
Irvine2022139214
Irvine2021115429
Los Angeles2025124137
Los Angeles2024107106
Los Angeles202311285
Los Angeles2022145117
Los Angeles20211362112
Merced20253635under 3
Merced20242221under 3
Merced202319163
Merced202222203
Merced202124214
Riverside202552484
Riverside202451445
Riverside202349323
Riverside20224429under 3
Riverside202152346
San Diego20251423013
San Diego20241452610
San Diego2023154299
San Diego20221764422
San Diego20211617933
Santa Barbara202510426under 3
Santa Barbara2024109265
Santa Barbara20231063810
Santa Barbara2022120278
Santa Barbara2021124384
Santa Cruz202575619
Santa Cruz2024786312
Santa Cruz202367467
Santa Cruz202277295
Santa Cruz20217139under 3
Universitywide202517211452
Universitywide202417612462
Universitywide202318311052
Universitywide202221111159
Universitywide202120814084

Source: UC admissions by source school. Dated fall first-year UC applicants, admitted students, and enrollees. Campus totals are not interchangeable with Universitywide; students can apply to several campuses. Universitywide is separately reported; never derive it by adding campus rows. Universitywide applicant and admit counts are unduplicated. UC blanks counts under 5 applicants or under 3 admits or enrollees, shown here as “under 5” or “under 3”; — means unavailable, and a reported zero remains zero. A + marks a partial SchoolScope sum of observed counts, not a complete total; missing contributions may be zero. No admit rate is computed here; these records do not establish a school's effect or predict individual chances.

AP course catalog2025–26 · College Board course authorizations
SubjectAuthorization recorded for
Biologythis school
Calculus ABthis school
Computer Science Athis school
Computer Science Principlesthis school
English Language and Compositionthis school
English Literature and Compositionthis school
Environmental Sciencethis school
Physics 1this school
Precalculusthis school
Psychologythis school
Seminarthis school
Spanish Language and Culturethis school
Statisticsthis school
U.S. Government and Politicsthis school
United States Historythis school
World History: Modernthis school

Authorization ≠ a section running this year — the Ledger records what the school may teach, not seat counts.

Advanced coursework, federal snapshot2023–24 · Civil Rights Data Collection · dated historical snapshot
MeasureThis school
AP offeredoffered
AP course count16
AP enrollment (male/female)635
IB participationnot reported
Dual enrollmentoffered · 330 enrolled
Algebra I in grade 8not reported
Calculus sections5
Physics sections11
Chemistry sections11
Reported male/female enrollment (CRDC)1,495

These counts aren’t part of the Scope Score. “Not reported” means the federal record has no value for that item; it isn’t a zero. Enrollment counts add the male and female students the survey reports.

College destinationsclass of 2023 · state college-going records, 12 months after graduation
DestinationCompleters% (derived)
University of California4813%
California State University9124%
California community college12232%
In-state private195%
Out-of-state, 4-year318%
Out-of-state, 2-year21%
Not enrolled6617%

379 students who finished high school, class of 2023 · state-reported college-going rate 83% · % column is computed by SchoolScope (count ÷ all who finished high school; CDE calls them completers), not a CDE-native rate · an unavailable or suppressed cell is marked as missing; a reported zero remains distinct · source: CDE 12-mo CGR, 2023 cohort (the newest published), National Student Clearinghouse match — a different, older vintage than the fall 2025 UC admissions rows above.

Fundingschool and district spending, from state and federal finance records · each row names its fiscal year and measure

Per-pupil spending

District · current expense$15,976 per pupil

NCES F-33 · FY 2020–21 (2021) · fall district membership: 97,968 pupils

California · selected district mean$14,491 per pupil

NCES F-33 · FY 2020–21 (2021) · SchoolScope’s unweighted mean across 818 selected California district finance records

School-level federal expenditures$862 per pupil

CDE ESSA · school-attributed per-pupil record · FY 2024–25 (2025) · source denominator: 1,465

Central federal expenditures attributed here$530 per pupil

CDE ESSA · central expenditures attributed to this school · FY 2024–25 (2025) · source denominator: 1,465

District current expense · FY 2024–25$21,967 per ADA

CDE SACS Current Expense of Education · district fiscal year ending 2025 · average daily attendance denominator

These figures are not directly comparable: school ESSA attributed spending and NCES district current expense use different measures and populations. Their fiscal years are labeled above.

How the California mean was selected

SchoolScope starts with its selected California finance records, not every NCES California district. For FY 2020–21, it calculates an unweighted mean of NCES F-33 current expense per pupil. District records contribute once, regardless of enrollment. The calculation keeps records with positive per-pupil current expense, enrollment over 100, CCD agency type 1, and a recorded district name; it excludes names ending in County Office of Education, Department of Education, or Superintendent of Schools. This is a SchoolScope calculation, not a state-published spending average.

Selected General Fund operating costs · FY 2024–⁠25 · SchoolScope calculation
Instruction 63%Instruction support 12%Student services 12%Administration 5%Buildings & maintenance 7%Other 1%
The arithmetic behind these shares · FY 2024–25
GroupDollarsShare, to two decimalsPrinted
Instruction$1,223,482,46063.42%63%
Instruction support$225,845,21211.71%12%
Student services$233,097,57212.08%12%
Administration$95,033,7834.93%5%
Buildings & maintenance$141,086,5867.31%7%
Other$10,769,2860.56%1%
Total$1,929,314,899100.00%100%

These shares are our arithmetic: each group’s dollars divided by the $1,929,314,899 total of the groups shown, rounded to whole percents by largest remainder so they add up to 100. Dollar amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar, so they can differ from the total by a dollar. SchoolScope groups district-level CDE SACS UserGL actuals from Fund 01, using operating objects 1000–5999 and excluding retiree benefits, food and community services, facilities acquisition, other outgo, and nonagency goals. These shares use that filtered total; they do not exactly break down CDE's official current expense per ADA above. The school-level ESSA figure uses a separate source.

NCES F-33 district fiscal-year history, 2017–⁠2021; latest district record shown: 2021
2021$15,976 per pupil
2020$14,540 per pupil
2019$14,457 per pupil
2018$11,416 per pupil
2017$11,708 per pupil

Source: NCES F-33 · Full district breakdown →

Staffing recordsstate teacher credential-and-placement and district salary records · each for its own year

Additional workforce records

Properly assigned intern credential holders0.0%

CDE 2024–25 SARC, Teacher Preparation and Placement table; measured school year 2021–22. Share of reported school teaching-position full-time equivalents assigned to properly assigned intern credential holders. A reported 0.0% is shown; unavailable rates are omitted. This is a position share, not a count of current teachers or of emergency permits.

The surrounding ZIP codeCensus Bureau survey, 2020–2024 · ZIP 92122 · not the school’s students
American Community Survey 5-year estimates · 2020–2024 · ZIP 92122 area
MeasureEstimate
Median household income$105,177
Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+)75%
ZIP-area population45,411
Median age31.7 years

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Median household income covers the past 12 months and is reported in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars. Bachelor's degree or higher uses adults age 25 and over as its population. A dash is unavailable, not zero; a reported zero remains zero. ZIP-area figures do not establish the school's attendance area or describe its enrolled students. These figures are not part of the Scope Score. See all schools in ZIP code 92122 →

Downloads, embed and methodologyCSV · embed code · sources · corrections

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  title="University City High — SchoolScope scorecard">
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Free to embed with the credit link. Data updates automatically.

Data sources: public data sources, including the California Department of Education · state tests (CAASPP) 2025–26 · Scope Score from 2024–25 results, compared across 1,498 high schools · attendance and suspensions by student group from 2018–19 and 2025–26 · district finance for the year each row names · Census survey (ACS) 2020–2024 · UC fall first-year source records — UC blanks counts under 5 applicants or 3 admits or enrollees; “+” marks a partial count; the all-campus total is reported separately · AP courses the College Board approved, 2025–26 (approved to teach, not enrollment) · federal civil rights data (CRDC) 2023–24, a past snapshot · state college-going records, class of 2023, matched to National Student Clearinghouse enrollment · Data updated October 15, 2026