Is Mt. Everest Academy a good school?

Mt. Everest Academy ranks 648 th of 5862 California alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Mt. Everest Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 213 students attended Mt. Everest Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Mt. Everest Academy?

Students at Mt. Everest Academy are 49% White, 18% Hispanic, 18% Asian, 12% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Mt. Everest Academy

Summary:

Mt. Everest Academy is a small, alternative public virtual school serving grades K-12 in the San Diego Unified School District. Despite its relatively small size of 213 students, this school stands out as a high-performing alternative option within the district.

Mt. Everest Academy consistently achieves exceptional results, with 4-year graduation rates ranging from 81.8% to 100% over the past 5 years, far exceeding the district average of around 60%. The school also boasts very low dropout rates, mostly at 0% in recent years, and a steady decline in chronic absenteeism, from 8.3% in 2017-2018 to just 0.8% in 2022-2023. Academically, Mt. Everest students significantly outperform their peers in the district and state on standardized tests, with 83.87% of 11th graders proficient or better in ELA in 2023-2024, compared to 59.92% in the district and 55.73% statewide.

While Mt. Everest Academy outshines the district and state on most metrics, some nearby alternative schools like Alba and Riley/New Dawn struggle with much lower test scores, graduation rates, and higher chronic absenteeism. This highlights the unique success of Mt. Everest Academy in serving its alternative student population, likely due to its effective practices, low student-teacher ratio, and virtual school model that appears to be working well for its students.

Detail:

Public, Virtual, Alternative K-12

4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117-4847

(619) 605-8700

District: San Diego Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
648^th of 5,862 California Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,276

Student/teacher ratio: 17.9

Number of students: 213

Racial breakdown:

White:

49.3%

Hispanic:

18.3%

Asian:

17.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 22.5%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Mt. Everest Academy to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Mt. Everest Academy ranks better than 88.9% of elementary schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.76. (See more...)

Compare Details Mt. Everest Academy ranks better than 98.2% of middle schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 98.01. (See more...)

Compare Details Mt. Everest Academy ranks better than 98.4% of high schools in California. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 97.73. (See more...)

The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Mt. Everest Academy freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Mt. Everest Academy has the largest alternative school student body size in the San Diego Unified School District. Student population at Mt. Everest Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (49.3%), Hispanic (18.3%), Asian (17.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 22.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the San Diego Unified School District. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mt. Everest Academy is 17.9, which is the highest among 6 alternative schools in the San Diego Unified School District! (See more...)

Compare Mt. Everest Academy employs 11.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mt. Everest Academy is $9,276, which is the lowest among 6 alternative schools in the San Diego Unified School District!

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Mt. Everest Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Mt. Everest Academy 648^th of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Mt. Everest Academy in the ranking list.)

SchoolDigger ranks Mt. Everest Academy 49^th of 2777 California public middle schools. (See Mt. Everest Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Mt. Everest Academy 37^th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Mt. Everest Academy in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Multi-racial students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Asian students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

San Diego Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks San Diego Unified 604^th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Mt. Everest Academy

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	76.80	1042^nd	4809	78.3%
2005	66.65	1481^st	4822	69.3%
2006	73.55	1188^th	4818	75.3%
2007	56.56	1993^rd	5113	61.0%
2008	69.19	1442^nd	5113	71.8%
2009	57.70	2038^th	5193	60.8%
2010	71.29	1405^th	5314	73.6%
2012	71.82	1425^th	5390	73.6%
2013	58.98	2180^th	5530	60.6%
2015	98.36	69^th	5611	98.8%
2016	97.52	101^st	5614	98.2%
2017	96.51	220^th	5692	96.1%
2018	94.44	331^st	5662	94.2%
2019	90.63	608^th	5789	89.5%
2023	93.32	479^th	5874	91.8%
2024	90.76	648^th	5862	88.9%

See the entire list of California Alternative School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mt. Everest Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	87.59	153^rd	1769	91.4%
2005	79.54	294^th	1777	83.5%
2006	85.02	204^th	1804	88.7%
2007	82.46	257^th	1999	87.1%
2008	80.42	278^th	2005	86.1%
2009	69.42	531^st	2063	74.3%
2010	88.56	123^rd	2179	94.4%
2012	71.56	532^nd	2259	76.4%
2013	73.13	508^th	2379	78.6%
2015	93.74	134^th	2477	94.6%
2016	93.97	124^th	2497	95.0%
2017	99.01	11^th	2508	99.6%
2018	94.12	143^rd	2480	94.2%
2019	99.09	14^th	2715	99.5%
2022	96.55	97^th	2740	96.5%
2023	97.77	63^rd	2802	97.8%
2024	98.01	49^th	2777	98.2%

See the entire list of California Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	92.27	162^nd	2262	92.8%
2019	98.61	13^th	2380	99.5%
2024	96.30	90^th	2546	96.5%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	96.21	98^th	2558	96.2%
2024	99.90	1^st	2547	100.0%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	80.92	239^th	1496	84.0%
2019	96.18	9^th	1602	99.4%
2023	83.92	168^th	1552	89.2%
2024	98.92	1^st	1535	99.9%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mt. Everest Academy

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Rank History for all high school students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile
2004	79.61	76^th	1653	95.4%
2005	75.88	149^th	1901	92.2%
2006	83.63	77^th	1968	96.1%
2007	77.79	151^st	2063	92.7%
2008	77.63	155^th	2117	92.7%
2009	56.37	567^th	2238	74.7%
2010	74.45	211^th	2281	90.7%
2011	82.89	105^th	2367	95.6%
2012	66.78	373^rd	2354	84.2%
2013	62.17	479^th	2426	80.3%
2015	97.79	21^st	1994	98.9%
2016	93.87	100^th	2039	95.1%
2017	97.74	19^th	2021	99.1%
2018	98.41	11^th	2017	99.5%
2019	97.41	48^th	2133	97.7%
2022	98.26	35^th	2123	98.4%
2023	98.51	23^rd	2348	99.0%
2024	97.73	37^th	2323	98.4%

See the entire list of California Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Multi-racial students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	94.20	16^th	786	98.0%
2024	89.04	34^th	804	95.8%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	99.16	23^rd	2247	99.0%
2024	96.73	46^th	2235	97.9%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile
2018	96.60	30^th	1760	98.3%
2022	97.49	37^th	1858	98.0%
2023	98.30	19^th	2118	99.1%
2024	96.10	50^th	2098	97.6%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	97.95	35^th	2207	98.4%
2024	97.78	44^th	2172	98.0%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school Asian students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	91.09	18^th	731	97.5%
2024	91.94	11^th	712	98.5%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	97.53	34^th	2142	98.4%
2024	97.77	28^th	2125	98.7%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Mt. Everest Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CA State Percentile
2022	91.49	66^th	1204	94.5%
2023	93.56	36^th	1434	97.5%
2024	88.26	75^th	1406	94.7%

See the entire list of Best California Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Sunday, October 2, 2011

I've been a student here for 3 years, I love the program and the staff. We started an ASB last year, and we have lots of social events- forget about the stereotype of kids who don't socialize, I see my friends three times a week at school and once or twice away from school. One thing I really like about Mt. Everest is that our motto (Flexibility to Pursue Your Passion) really fits- I have a friend who plays tennis 6 hours a day, planning to go pro. We have low teacher:student ratio, which helps explain why I can use such big words as "stereotype," am taking Junior classes (7 of them!) as a Sophomore, and why our Academic League team beats out almost everyone in the district. This school isn't a perfect for everyone- but I've yet to meet anyone who I wouldn't recommend it to. We don't have the nasty aspects of high school society, we're all very accepting. I know of at least three fellow students who have come here to avoid bullying at other schools- most recently, a junior from Bishops who didn't like the pressure. Before you can say "underachiever," let me point out that UCSD recruited him already. He's just at Mt. Everest to get enough credits to graduate, and then he's off to a University. I consider the school I went to before Mt. Everest to be among the best of its kind, but Mt. Everest is infinitely better. I enjoy going to class, something my other school never achieved. Oh, and relaxed atmosphere seems to be conducive to learning, by the way- we were ranked in the top 5 API scores recently.

Sincerely, etc,
A Student Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Fantastic school! Mr. Rood, the principal is spectacular. This school is a cross between home school and regular school. The curriculum is the same as all San Diego Unified schools, but you can tweak it to fit your needs and likes. Everyone is super helpful and kind. My daughter loves it here so much. Honestly, the best school i have ever known! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Mt. Everest Academy

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	99	24	1	13	4	n/a	n/a	0	141
1990	147	30	4	31	0	n/a	n/a	0	212
1991	143	17	8	11	1	n/a	n/a	0	180
1992	132	26	7	45	1	n/a	n/a	0	211
1993	143	50	16	123	2	n/a	n/a	0	334
1994	233	129	39	302	9	n/a	n/a	0	712
1995	173	58	13	22	6	n/a	n/a	0	272
1996	173	58	13	22	6	n/a	n/a	0	272
1997	227	69	25	74	6	n/a	n/a	0	401
1998	271	96	54	187	10	n/a	n/a	0	618
1999	242	73	27	71	6	n/a	n/a	0	419
2000	245	50	22	41	3	n/a	n/a	0	361
2001	248	36	18	43	8	n/a	n/a	0	353
2002	222	14	12	40	3	n/a	n/a	0	291
2003	222	14	12	40	3	n/a	n/a	0	291
2004	223	18	11	35	3	n/a	n/a	0	290
2005	208	17	16	32	2	n/a	n/a	0	275
2006	187	15	19	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	244
2007	179	9	19	27	2	n/a	n/a	4	240
2008	181	16	16	35	2	n/a	n/a	0	250
2009	182	24	24	30	2	0	0	0	262
2010	123	12	17	27	0	1	9	0	189
2011	85	10	18	23	2	1	9	0	148
2012	93	9	14	27	1	1	16	0	161
2013	181	9	11	69	0	2	31	0	303
2014	178	6	17	68	0	2	34	0	305
2015	168	4	18	56	2	0	34	0	282
2016	158	9	23	45	1	0	27	0	263
2017	151	5	31	47	0	0	42	0	276
2018	130	3	28	41	0	0	38	0	240
2019	152	2	32	33	0	2	45	0	266
2020	141	3	34	38	0	0	42	0	258
2021	165	2	35	43	0	0	46	0	291
2022	104	8	36	45	0	0	34	0	227
2023	105	5	38	39	0	0	25	1	213

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mt. Everest Academy

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	141	3.0	47.0	n/a
1990	212	3.0	70.6	n/a
1991	180	1.0	180.0	n/a
1992	211	1.0	211.0	32.7
1993	334	10.1	33.1	30.2
1994	712	20.0	35.6	61.7
1995	272	6.0	45.3	33.5
1996	272	6.0	45.3	33.5
1997	401	10.0	40.1	18
1998	618	10.0	61.8	14.1
1999	419	11.9	35.2	15
2000	361	14.0	25.8	18.6
2001	353	11.7	30.2	7.9
2002	291	13.6	21.4	10.7
2003	291	13.6	21.4	10.7
2004	290	14.8	19.6	13.1
2005	275	14.2	19.4	13.8
2006	244	12.7	19.2	20.1
2007	240	12.5	19.2	14.8
2008	250	13.2	18.9	15.6
2009	262	9.5	22.6	13.4
2010	189	11.6	16.2	18.5
2011	148	n/a	n/a	24.3
2012	161	11.4	14.1	n/a
2013	303	13.2	22.9	23.8
2014	305	12.4	24.5	28.5
2015	282	13.0	21.6	20.2
2016	263	14.0	18.7	24.3
2017	276	12.8	21.4	21.4
2018	240	13.0	18.4	22.9
2019	266	13.0	20.4	16.9
2020	258	n/a	n/a	15.1
2021	291	12.0	24.2	15.8
2022	227	11.6	19.4	24.2
2023	213	11.8	17.9	22.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mt. Everest Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	141	3.0	47.0	n/a
1990	212	3.0	70.6	n/a
1991	180	1.0	180.0	n/a
1992	211	1.0	211.0	32.7
1993	334	10.1	33.1	30.2
1994	712	20.0	35.6	61.7
1995	272	6.0	45.3	33.5
1996	272	6.0	45.3	33.5
1997	401	10.0	40.1	18
1998	618	10.0	61.8	14.1
1999	419	11.9	35.2	15
2000	361	14.0	25.8	18.6
2001	353	11.7	30.2	7.9
2002	291	13.6	21.4	10.7
2003	291	13.6	21.4	10.7
2004	290	14.8	19.6	13.1
2005	275	14.2	19.4	13.8
2006	244	12.7	19.2	20.1
2007	240	12.5	19.2	14.8
2008	250	13.2	18.9	15.6
2009	262	9.5	22.6	13.4
2010	189	11.6	16.2	18.5
2011	148	n/a	n/a	24.3
2012	161	11.4	14.1	n/a
2013	303	13.2	22.9	23.8
2014	305	12.4	24.5	28.5
2015	282	13.0	21.6	20.2
2016	263	14.0	18.7	24.3
2017	276	12.8	21.4	21.4
2018	240	13.0	18.4	22.9
2019	266	13.0	20.4	16.9
2020	258	n/a	n/a	15.1
2021	291	12.0	24.2	15.8
2022	227	11.6	19.4	24.2
2023	213	11.8	17.9	22.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates