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Southwest High

Q: Is Southwest High a good school?

Southwest High ranks 911 th of 2162 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

911^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,162 California High Schools

Better than 58% of California high schools

Summary

Southwest High is a large public high school serving grades 9-12 with about 1,850 students in El Centro, part of the Central Union High district, and it consistently earns a solid 3-star rating while effectively supporting a student body where many face economic challenges.

The school truly shines in getting students to graduation, with a 96% graduation rate that is one of the best in the area, and it does an excellent job keeping students in class, with an attendance rate that meets the state average and is far better than many nearby schools like Desert Oasis High (Continuation) or Aurora High (Continuation). Academically, it leads its district in science and outperforms both the district and state in English Language Arts, showing particular strength in supporting its student population compared to a similar school like Calexico High.

Like many high schools in Imperial County, math scores are an area for growth, but Southwest High achieves these strong outcomes efficiently, spending less per student than some peers with weaker results. It forms a high-performing pair with Central Union High within its district, and its steady performance indicates a resilient and supportive learning environment for families to consider.

1,846

Students ?

19.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

72.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2001 Ocotillo Dr.
El Centro, CA 92243-9451

(760) 336-4100

District: Central Union High

Feeder schools for Southwest High:

Elementary:	Dogwood Elementary
	Lincoln Elementary
	Martin Luther King Junior Elementary
	McCabe Elementary
	More...
	McKinley Elementary
	Seeley Elementary
	Sunflower Elementary
Middle:	Heber
	Kennedy Middle

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

95.3%

White:

2.9%

Asian:

1.0%

See top rated California high schools

Compare Southwest High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 71st percentile in 2022 → 58th in 2025

Strengths

✓96% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Central Union High

✓Above the California median (58th percentile)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (33% vs 41% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped from its 71st-percentile peak (2022) to 58th (2025)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school33%

District avg30%

California avg41%

911^th of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Top 42%▲ up 5 pts since 2015

From top 47% (2015) to top 42% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4High Schools in the Central Union High

997^th of 1,543Central Union High among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	55.8	911 of 2162	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.3	735 of 2159	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.3	693 of 2170	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.7	625 of 2123	70.6%	★★★★☆
2021	58.4	488 of 1290	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.5	824 of 2133	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.4	877 of 2017	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	63.5	714 of 2021	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	58.5	816 of 2039	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	52.0	935 of 1994	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	51.8	742 of 2426	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	53.3	708 of 2354	69.9%	★★★★☆
2011	51.5	752 of 2367	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	49.5	777 of 2281	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2009	44.7	892 of 2238	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	40.4	906 of 2117	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	43.5	791 of 2063	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2006	47.1	689 of 1968	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2005	44.5	705 of 1901	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2004	35.8	795 of 1653	51.9%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	33.1	736 of 1161	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.7	382 of 555	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	28.4	804 of 1117	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.5	803 of 1052	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	35.3	710 of 1085	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.7	696 of 1064	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	58.3	221 of 1044	78.8%	★★★★☆
2021	36.4	278 of 467	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	62.1	175 of 941	81.4%	★★★★☆
2018	61.5	200 of 938	78.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	54.0	833 of 1906	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.2	793 of 1915	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.9	641 of 1915	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.5	607 of 1858	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.7	482 of 1054	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.8	782 of 1833	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.1	900 of 1760	48.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	63.6	632 of 1900	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.0	497 of 1902	73.9%	★★★★☆
2023	73.9	411 of 1917	78.6%	★★★★☆
2022	77.1	313 of 1861	83.2%	★★★★☆
2019	63.3	572 of 1814	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.5	595 of 1742	65.8%	★★★☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	46.9	201 of 410	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.6	139 of 328	57.6%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	55.2	853 of 2013	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.2	657 of 2026	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.0	566 of 2030	72.1%	★★★★☆
2022	66.4	516 of 1943	73.4%	★★★★☆
2021	53.5	489 of 1126	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.4	673 of 1937	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.3	717 of 1862	61.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	48.9	937 of 1942	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.2	645 of 1948	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.2	707 of 1963	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.1	559 of 1916	70.8%	★★★★☆
2021	56.8	438 of 1122	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.6	784 of 1880	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.3	774 of 1834	57.8%	★★★☆☆

Migrant

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	67.1	23 of 85	72.9%	★★★★☆
2024	69.1	22 of 85	74.1%	★★★★☆
2023	60.5	25 of 74	66.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	33.1	805 of 1252	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	50.4	455 of 1216	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	34.0	726 of 1197	39.3%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	67.5	376 of 1155	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	79.9	206 of 1173	82.4%	★★★★☆
2023	60.4	474 of 1193	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.2	514 of 1204	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.3	358 of 1222	70.7%	★★★★☆
2018	57.8	562 of 1173	52.1%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Migrant (2025)73rd percentile+15 vs school

White (2025)67th percentile+10 vs school

Hispanic (2025)67th percentile+9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)58th percentile~ school

Female (2025)56th percentile~ school

Male (2025)52nd percentile-6 vs school

Homeless (2025)51st percentile-7 vs school

Disabled (2022)37th percentile-34 vs school

Special Education (2025)36th percentile-22 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)35th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy53%+5 vs state

Science26%-7 vs state

Mathematics21%-17 vs state

★

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Schools Near Southwest High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)		Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southwest High	Public	9-12	2001 Ocotillo Dr.	El Centro	92243	Imperial County	Central Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 336-4100	1,846	94	19.5	72.1%	54 (2.9%)	6 (0.3%)	1,760 (95.3%)	19 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	55.8	911^th of 2162 public high schools	57.9%		61.3	735^th of 2159 public high schools	66.0%	176		25.5	25.5	53.4	53.4	20.6	20.6
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual	9-12	1001 Brighton Avenue Tr. 25	El Centro	92243	Imperial County	Central Union High	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(760) 312-7050	60	2	25.2	83.3%	2 (3.3%)	1 (1.7%)	56 (93.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26.8	1558^th of 2162 public high schools	27.9%		39	1265^th of 2159 public high schools	41.4%	293	10.0	0.0	7.1	50.0	50.0	3.3	3.3
Central Union High	Public	9-12	1001 Brighton Ave.	El Centro	92243	Imperial County	Central Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 336-4300	2,006	96	20.9	72.6%	41 (2.0%)	19 (0.9%)	1,931 (96.3%)	10 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.2%)	51	1018^th of 2162 public high schools	52.9%		61.1	740^th of 2159 public high schools	65.7%	278		23.7	23.7	48.5	48.5	19.2	19.2
Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program	Public	9-12	687 State St.	El Centro	92243	Imperial County	Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(760) 482-2600	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Desert Oasis High (Continuation)	Public	9-12	1302 South Third St.	El Centro	92243	Imperial County	Central Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 336-4555	138	10	13.9	94.2%	3 (2.2%)	3 (2.2%)	131 (94.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14.4	1821^st of 2162 public high schools	15.8%		14.8	1824^th of 2159 public high schools	15.5%	3		4.1	4.1	22.1	22.1	0.0	0.0
Imperial Pathways Charter	Public, Virtual, Charter	9-12	1398 Sperber Rd.	El Centro	92243	Imperial County	Imperial County Office of Education	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(760) 312-5566	246	11	22.9	92.7%	6 (2.4%)	2 (0.8%)	237 (96.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)		8.3	8.3					$13,015	$797	$12,218
Imperial High	Public	9-12	517 West Barioni Blvd.	Imperial	92251	Imperial County	Imperial Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 355-3220	1,439	62	23.0	47.0%	117 (8.1%)	12 (0.8%)	1,278 (88.8%)	22 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (0.7%)	64.3	702^nd of 2162 public high schools	67.5%		65.2	646^th of 2159 public high schools	70.1%	56	39.0		38.8	60.4	60.4	24.3	24.3	$15,094	$1,744	$13,350
Imperial Ave. Holbrook High	Public	9-12	322 North Imperial Ave.	Imperial	92251	Imperial County	Imperial Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 355-3207	28	3	11.1	60.7%	3 (10.7%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (89.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34.1	1400^th of 2162 public high schools	35.2%		14.2	1844^th of 2159 public high schools	14.6%	444	27.3		27.3	27.3	27.3			$8,006	$1,789	$6,217
Aurora High (Continuation)	Public	9-12	1391 Kloke Rd.	Calexico	92231	Imperial County	Calexico Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 768-3940	96	10	9.9	80.2%	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	94 (97.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9.2	2056^th of 2162 public high schools	4.9%		10	2072^nd of 2159 public high schools	4.0%	16	2.2		1.9	8.0	8.0	2.0	2.0	$30,998	$4,029	$26,969
Pinnacle Hall Community Day	Public	6-12	1391 Kloke Rd.	Calexico	92231	Imperial County	Calexico Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 768-3914	2	1	2.0		0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)								$53,468	$3,050	$50,418

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest High

What district is Southwest High in?

Central Union High

How many students attend Southwest High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,846 students attended Southwest High.

Is Southwest High a good school?

Southwest High ranks 911^th of 2162 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into Southwest High?

Southwest High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dogwood Elementary
Elementary : Lincoln Elementary
Elementary : Martin Luther King Junior Elementary
Elementary : McCabe Elementary
Elementary : McKinley Elementary
Elementary : Seeley Elementary
Elementary : Sunflower Elementary
Middle : Heber
Middle : Kennedy Middle

What is the racial makeup of Southwest High?

Students at Southwest High are 95% Hispanic, 3% White, 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.