Palomar High

Summary:

Palomar High is a public high school located in Chula Vista, California, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 234 students. The school is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, which is ranked 745 out of 1,568 districts in California and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Palomar High has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of California high schools over the past decade, with its academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, significantly below the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, only 7.69% of 11th-grade students at Palomar High were proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy, compared to 57.65% in the Sweetwater Union High School District and 55.73% statewide. The school's performance in mathematics is even more concerning, with 0% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in 2023-2024, compared to 23.4% in the district and 27.9% statewide. Palomar High has also struggled with extremely low graduation rates, with a four-year graduation rate of only 39.2% in 2022-2023, compared to the district average of 91.1% and the state average of over 80%. Additionally, the school has experienced very high rates of chronic absenteeism, reaching 91.8% in 2021-2022, which is significantly higher than the district and state averages.

Palomar High's performance is significantly worse than the other high schools in the Sweetwater Union High School District, such as Southwest Senior High, Montgomery Senior High, and Hilltop Senior High, which all have higher academic achievement, graduation rates, and lower chronic absenteeism. Even the smaller, alternative schools like Options Secondary and Alta Vista Academy, which serve similar student populations, outperform Palomar High in many key metrics.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 480 Palomar St.
       Chula Vista, CA  91911-3098


(619) 407-4800

District: Sweetwater Union High

SchoolDigger Rank:
2151st of 2,323 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,335 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  15.3 Help
Number of students:  299

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
82.9%
White:
6.7%
African American:
4.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  85.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Palomar High ranks worse than 92.6% of high schools in California. It also ranks last among 14 ranked high schools in the Sweetwater Union High School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.34. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Palomar High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a 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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (82.9%), White (6.7%), African American (4.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 85.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Palomar High is 15.3, which is the 4th best among 14 high schools in the Sweetwater Union High School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Palomar High employs 19.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Palomar High is $13,335, which is the 3rd highest among 14 high schools in the Sweetwater Union High School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Palomar High:

SchoolDigger ranks Palomar High 2151st of 2323 California public high schools. (See Palomar High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Sweetwater Union High:

SchoolDigger ranks Sweetwater Union High 745th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Palomar High?

Rank History for Palomar High

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Rank History for all students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 14.82 1474th 1653 10.8%
2005 23.73 1249th 1901 34.3%
2006 31.00 1066th 1968 45.8%
2007 26.64 1247th 2063 39.6%
2008 34.46 1057th 2117 50.1%
2009 42.92 936th 2238 58.2%
2010 24.62 1435th 2281 37.1%
2011 22.72 1549th 2367 34.6%
2012 21.58 1557th 2354 33.9%
2013 19.06 1690th 2426 30.3%
2015 12.61 1664th 1994 16.5%
2016 8.64 1979th 2039 2.9%
2017 11.35 1746th 2021 13.6%
2018 11.85 1715th 2017 15.0%
2019 12.91 1858th 2133 12.9%
2021 18.15 1047th 1290 18.8%
2022 10.66 2016th 2123 5.0%
2023 10.06 2055th 2348 12.5%
2024 8.34 2151st 2323 7.4%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.40 739th 938 21.2%
2019 37.63 517th 941 45.1%
2022 28.15 899th 1044 13.9%
2023 34.91 611th 1323 53.8%
2024 29.59 859th 1350 36.4%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 22.03 1286th 1547 16.9%
2024 17.53 1430th 1534 6.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.08 1650th 1862 11.4%
2019 14.61 1640th 1937 15.3%
2021 21.64 897th 1126 20.3%
2022 10.70 1863rd 1943 4.1%
2023 10.51 1971st 2247 12.3%
2024 8.91 2043rd 2235 8.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 8.42 1599th 1760 9.1%
2019 10.45 1659th 1833 9.5%
2022 9.94 1749th 1858 5.9%
2023 8.53 1983rd 2118 6.4%
2024 8.89 1921st 2098 8.4%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 33.17 733rd 1161 36.9%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.40 1542nd 1834 15.9%
2019 12.68 1635th 1880 13.0%
2021 21.55 895th 1122 20.2%
2022 10.42 1829th 1916 4.5%
2023 10.69 1912th 2207 13.4%
2024 7.69 2052nd 2172 5.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.43 1455th 1742 16.5%
2019 13.77 1558th 1814 14.1%
2022 10.16 1780th 1861 4.4%
2023 9.71 1909th 2142 10.9%
2024 8.71 1934th 2125 9.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Palomar High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 2.17 1378th 1406 2.0%
See the entire list of Best California High 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.

Palomar High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Thursday, April 27, 2017

Open Quote Outstanding faculty and a great chance for students to try a different type of education. Great place for student to succeed. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Palomar High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 178 26 26 362 9 n/a n/a 0 601
1989 76 13 21 250 1 n/a n/a 0 361
1990 80 8 29 254 3 n/a n/a 0 374
1991 143 29 34 292 8 n/a n/a 0 506
1992 49 15 16 245 6 n/a n/a 0 331
1993 74 33 28 295 4 n/a n/a 0 434
1994 64 28 23 354 0 n/a n/a 0 469
1995 39 19 18 317 2 n/a n/a 0 395
1996 39 19 18 317 2 n/a n/a 0 395
1997 37 17 21 357 1 n/a n/a 0 433
1998 39 24 25 369 4 n/a n/a 0 461
1999 46 29 29 464 5 n/a n/a 0 573
2000 51 20 27 477 1 n/a n/a 0 576
2001 45 19 13 456 1 n/a n/a 0 534
2002 29 18 23 366 3 n/a n/a 0 439
2003 29 18 23 366 3 n/a n/a 0 439
2004 31 22 25 375 3 n/a n/a 0 456
2005 42 27 24 393 1 n/a n/a 0 487
2006 44 24 17 352 2 n/a n/a 0 439
2007 44 18 15 412 3 n/a n/a 3 495
2008 26 16 13 384 n/a n/a n/a 0 439
2009 35 14 10 401 5 1 1 0 467
2010 29 22 8 372 3 2 5 0 441
2011 29 21 6 314 5 4 4 0 383
2012 19 14 3 349 3 3 7 0 398
2013 18 19 4 323 2 5 2 0 373
2014 12 11 8 327 1 0 9 0 368
2015 8 6 3 323 1 1 8 0 350
2016 8 6 7 264 0 1 2 0 288
2017 7 4 4 262 0 0 4 0 281
2018 5 2 6 258 0 0 2 0 273
2019 7 4 2 248 1 0 3 0 265
2020 3 5 2 216 2 0 6 0 234
2021 5 3 2 242 0 0 6 0 258
2022 9 3 5 213 0 0 3 0 233
2023 19 5 5 200 2 1 2 0 234
2024 20 13 3 248 4 2 9 0 299

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 Palomar High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 601 24.0 25.0 n/a
1989 361 24.0 15.0 n/a
1990 374 24.1 15.5 n/a
1991 506 30.6 16.5 n/a
1992 331 31.1 10.6 n/a
1993 434 32.7 13.3 0
1994 469 26.7 17.6 0
1995 395 28.5 13.9 52.9
1996 395 28.5 13.9 52.9
1997 433 28.9 15.0 51.7
1998 461 28.6 16.1 44.3
1999 573 27.6 20.8 24.4
2000 576 28.6 20.1 21.7
2001 534 28.8 18.5 53.2
2002 439 28.0 15.7 74.5
2003 439 28.0 15.7 74.5
2004 456 29.8 15.3 67.5
2005 487 27.6 17.6 41.3
2006 439 28.6 15.3 49.9
2007 495 33.4 14.8 48.4
2008 439 34.3 12.8 48.5
2009 467 30.5 13.5 25.7
2010 441 30.1 14.6 29
2011 383 n/a n/a 44.9
2012 398 22.8 17.3 n/a
2013 373 23.9 15.6 62.5
2014 368 24.6 14.9 76.1
2015 350 22.0 15.9 64
2016 288 24.0 12.0 63.9
2017 281 25.0 11.2 59.4
2018 273 23.2 11.7 70.7
2019 265 23.7 11.1 81.5
2020 234 n/a n/a 75.2
2021 258 21.5 11.9 77.9
2022 233 22.2 10.4 77.3
2023 234 20.7 11.2 80.8
2024 299 19.4 15.3 85.6

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 Palomar High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 601 24.0 25.0 n/a
1989 361 24.0 15.0 n/a
1990 374 24.1 15.5 n/a
1991 506 30.6 16.5 n/a
1992 331 31.1 10.6 n/a
1993 434 32.7 13.3 0
1994 469 26.7 17.6 0
1995 395 28.5 13.9 52.9
1996 395 28.5 13.9 52.9
1997 433 28.9 15.0 51.7
1998 461 28.6 16.1 44.3
1999 573 27.6 20.8 24.4
2000 576 28.6 20.1 21.7
2001 534 28.8 18.5 53.2
2002 439 28.0 15.7 74.5
2003 439 28.0 15.7 74.5
2004 456 29.8 15.3 67.5
2005 487 27.6 17.6 41.3
2006 439 28.6 15.3 49.9
2007 495 33.4 14.8 48.4
2008 439 34.3 12.8 48.5
2009 467 30.5 13.5 25.7
2010 441 30.1 14.6 29
2011 383 n/a n/a 44.9
2012 398 22.8 17.3 n/a
2013 373 23.9 15.6 62.5
2014 368 24.6 14.9 76.1
2015 350 22.0 15.9 64
2016 288 24.0 12.0 63.9
2017 281 25.0 11.2 59.4
2018 273 23.2 11.7 70.7
2019 265 23.7 11.1 81.5
2020 234 n/a n/a 75.2
2021 258 21.5 11.9 77.9
2022 233 22.2 10.4 77.3
2023 234 20.7 11.2 80.8
2024 299 19.4 15.3 85.6

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.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Palomar High

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $13,335

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Palomar High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1858th of 2133 High schoolsRanks 2055th of 2348 High schools
 0.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Palomar High)66.8
 0.8%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Sweetwater Union High)58.552.2
 6.3%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Palomar High)1.20.7
 0.5%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Sweetwater Union High)28.522.6
 6%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
12th Grade Science (Palomar High)3.56.3
 2.8%
   12th Grade Science (Sweetwater Union High)20.424.6
 4.3%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.9
 1.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students265234
 11.7%
African American45
 25%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian25
 150%
Hispanic248200
 19.4%
Pacific Islander01
White719
 171.4%
Two or More Races32
 33.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients81.5%80.8%
 0.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Palomar High

Palomar High ranks in the bottom 7.4% of California high schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 299 students attended Palomar High.

Students at Palomar High are 83% Hispanic, 7% White, 4% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% American Indian, 1% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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