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Best Public Schools in El Cajon, CA (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best El Cajon Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 40 public schools serving 27,567 students in El Cajon, CA (there are 16 private schools, serving 1,810 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in El Cajon, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in El Cajon, CA are Grossmont Middle College High School, Literacy First Charter and Fuerte Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
El Cajon, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in El Cajon have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in El Cajon, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Grossmont Middle College High School
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7524
Gr: 11-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Literacy First Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
799 East Washington Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 579-7232
Gr: K-12 | 2,160 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #33.
Fuerte Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11625 Fuerte Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 588-3134
Gr: K-5 | 686 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Blossom Valley Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9863 Oakmont Terr.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 588-3678
Gr: K-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Rancho San Diego Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12151 Calle Albara
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 588-3211
Gr: K-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #66.
Valhalla High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1725 Hillsdale Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 593-5300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,728 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Vista Grande Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1908 Vista Grande Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 588-3170
Gr: K-5 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #88.
Hillsdale Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1301 Brabham St.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 441-6156
Gr: 6-8 | 1,481 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #99.
Elite Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
230 Jamacha Blvd.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 588-3545
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1010.
Kidinnu Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1025 North Second St.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 938-4864
Gr: K-8 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1111.
Granite Hills High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1719 East Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 593-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,331 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1212.
Jamacha Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2962 Jamul Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 441-6150
Gr: K-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1313.
Pepper Drive Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1935 Marlinda Way
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 956-5100
Gr: K-8 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1414.
Los Coches Creek Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
9669 Dunbar Ln.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 441-5741
Gr: 6-8 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Chaparral High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 North Cuyamaca St.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 956-4600
Gr: 9-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Empower
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
165 Roanoke Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92022
(619) 588-3296
Gr: K-8 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1717.
Bostonia Global
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1390 Broadway
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 588-3121
Gr: K-12 | 1,266 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1818.
Crest Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2000 Suncrest Blvd.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 558-3128
Gr: K-8 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Flying Hills School Of Arts
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1251 Finch St.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 588-3132
Gr: K-8 | 742 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2020.
Cajon Valley Home
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2962 Jamul Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 588-3128
Gr: K-8 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2121.
Eje Middle Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
851 South Johnson Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 401-4150
Gr: 6-8 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2222.
Idea Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 North Cuyamaca St.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 956-4332
Gr: 9-12 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2323.
Rios Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
14314 Rios Canyon Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 588-3090
Gr: K-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2424.
Madison Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1615 East Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 588-3077
Gr: K-5 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2525.
El Cajon Valley High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1035 East Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 407-4711
Gr: 9-12 | 1,701 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2626.
Dehesa Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4612 Dehesa Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 444-2161
Gr: K-8 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2727.
Anza Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1005 South Anza St.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 588-3116
Gr: K-6 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2828.
Meridian Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
651 South Third St.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 588-3083
Gr: K-5 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2929.
Eje Elementary Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
851 South Johnson Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 401-4150
Gr: K-5 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3030.
W. D. Hall Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1376 Pepper Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 588-3136
Gr: K-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3131.
Montgomery Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1570 Melody Ln.
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 588-3107
Gr: 6-8 | 929 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3232.
Greenfield Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1495 Greenfield Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 588-3103
Gr: 6-8 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #3333.
Cajon Valley Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
550 Park Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 588-3092
Gr: 6-8 | 942 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #3434.
Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 West Madison
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 588-3139
Gr: K-5 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #3535.
Naranca Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1030 Naranca Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 588-3087
Gr: K-6 | 985 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 66%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in El Cajon, CA?
The top-ranked public schools in El Cajon, CA include Grossmont Middle College High School, Literacy First Charter and Fuerte Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Eljon?
40 public schools are located in Eljon.
What percentage of students in Eljon go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Eljon are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Eljon?
Eljon public schools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Eljon are often viewed compared to one another?

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