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Elementary Schools in Poway, California: Poway schools aren't just reaching proficiency — they're pushing students beyond it.

Above Average2024–25 data9 schools · avg 55.1/100

Poway, California has 9 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 55.1/100 — 10.3 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Tierra Bonita Elementary at 68/100, where 52.3% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Poway schools average 33.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 8.1% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
55.1
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
24.0
44.4 – 68.3
Avg Exceeded %
33.7%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
8.1%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
9
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary9Solid
55.1/100
33.7%+10.3
High1Solid
64.1/100
32.0%+20.4
Middle2Developing
47.5/100
24.5%+4.9

How Poway schools compare

Poway has 9 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 55.1/100 — 10.3 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Tierra Bonita Elementary with a Scope Score of 68 and 52.3% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Poway schools average 33.7% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in Poway averages 8.1% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in Poway

5 Strong All-Around3 Culture First1 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in Poway

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Tierra Bonita Elementary
Poway Unified Strong All-Around
52.3%Solid
68/100
2Poway High
Poway Unified Strong All-Around
32.0%Solid
64/100
3Chaparral Elementary
Poway Unified Strong All-Around
44.4%Solid
64/100
4Painted Rock Elementary
Poway Unified Strong All-Around
41.0%Solid
62/100
5Midland Elementary
Poway Unified Strong All-Around
37.5%Solid
59/100
6Pomerado Elementary
Poway Unified Strong All-Around
35.3%Solid
59/100
7Meadowbrook Middle
Poway Unified Building Momentum
25.7%Developing
48/100
8Garden Road Elementary
Poway Unified Culture First
34.4%Developing
48/100
9Twin Peaks Middle
Poway Unified Building Momentum
23.3%Developing
47/100
10Cabrillo Point Academy
Dehesa Elementary Culture First
19.5%Developing
46/100
11Valley Elementary
Poway Unified Building Momentum
21.9%Developing
46/100
12Pacific Coast Academy
Dehesa Elementary Culture First
16.8%Developing
44/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 12 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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.

Private Schools in Poway

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

St. Michael'S School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 571 students
15:1Private
Newbridge School
Nonsectarian · Grades 1-8 · 97 students
7:1Private
The Koonings Center
Nonsectarian · Grades 2-8 · 22 students
4:1Private
Discovery Isle Child Development Center
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K · 19 students
19:1Private
Skills Learning Center
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K · 7 students
2:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Poway

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Poway good?
Poway's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 55.1/100, which is 10.3 points above the state average. 33.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Poway?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Poway is Tierra Bonita Elementary with a Scope Score of 68/100 and 52.3% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Poway schools compare to the state average?
Poway elementary schools average a Scope Score of 55.1/100 — 10.3 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 33.7% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 8.1% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Poway?
Poway has 9 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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