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Mt. Everest Academy

Public, Virtual, Alternative Grades K-12

49^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,761 California Alternative Schools

Better than 98% of California alternative schools

Summary

Mt. Everest Academy is a standout K-12 alternative public school in the San Diego Unified district, serving 232 students with a unique model that delivers exceptional academic results.

The school's performance is remarkable, especially when compared to other local alternative schools. For the 2024-2025 year, 86.7% of students were proficient in English and 71.7% in Math, far exceeding both district and state averages. It maintains a near-perfect graduation rate of 94.3% with a 0% dropout rate, a stark contrast to nearby alternatives like Riley/New Dawn (45% graduation) and San Diego County Community (38% graduation). Furthermore, student engagement is incredibly high, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 2%, roughly one-tenth the rate of the surrounding district.

Mt. Everest Academy achieves this excellence efficiently, spending $23,429 per student, which is significantly less than many comparable schools like Alba or Whittier K-12. This consistent, multi-year record of high achievement challenges the typical perception of alternative schools and establishes Mt. Everest Academy as a model of effective and sustainable educational practices within its category.

232

Students ?

19.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,429

Per pupil spending ?

28%

Free/discounted lunch ?

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

(619) 605-8700

District: San Diego Unified

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.0%

Hispanic:

18.1%

Two or more races:

15.9%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Mt. Everest Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 96th percentile in 2022 → 92nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (78% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 2% of California alternative schools

✓94% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school78%

District avg49%

California avg41%

Middle school

49^th of 2,761

California public middle schools ?

Top 2%▲ up 4 pts since 2015

From top 5% (2015) to top 2% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

172^nd of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Top 8%▼ down 7 pts since 2015

From top 1% (2015) to top 8% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4Alternative Schools in the San Diego Unified

577^th of 1,543San Diego Unified 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	90.8	649 of 5869	88.9%	★★★★☆
2023	93.3	478 of 5859	91.8%	★★★★★
2019	90.6	608 of 5789	89.5%	★★★★☆
2018	94.4	331 of 5662	94.2%	★★★★★
2017	96.5	220 of 5692	96.1%	★★★★★
2016	97.5	101 of 5614	98.2%	★★★★★
2015	98.4	69 of 5611	98.8%	★★★★★
2013	59.0	2180 of 5530	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	71.8	1425 of 5390	73.6%	★★★★☆
2010	71.3	1405 of 5314	73.6%	★★★★☆
2009	57.7	2038 of 5193	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	69.2	1442 of 5113	71.8%	★★★★☆
2007	56.6	1993 of 5113	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	73.5	1188 of 4818	75.3%	★★★★☆
2005	66.7	1481 of 4822	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2004	76.8	1042 of 4809	78.3%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	98.0	49 of 2761	98.2%	★★★★★
2024	98.0	50 of 2783	98.2%	★★★★★
2023	97.8	62 of 2781	97.8%	★★★★★
2022	96.5	97 of 2740	96.5%	★★★★★
2019	99.1	14 of 2715	99.5%	★★★★★
2018	94.1	143 of 2480	94.2%	★★★★★
2017	99.0	11 of 2508	99.6%	★★★★★
2016	94.0	124 of 2497	95.0%	★★★★★
2015	93.7	134 of 2477	94.6%	★★★★★
2013	73.1	508 of 2379	78.6%	★★★★☆
2012	71.6	532 of 2259	76.4%	★★★★☆
2010	88.6	123 of 2179	94.4%	★★★★★
2009	69.4	531 of 2063	74.3%	★★★★☆
2008	80.4	278 of 2005	86.1%	★★★★☆
2007	82.5	257 of 1999	87.1%	★★★★☆
2006	85.0	204 of 1804	88.7%	★★★★☆
2005	79.5	294 of 1777	83.5%	★★★★☆
2004	87.6	153 of 1769	91.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	97.3	44 of 2533	98.3%	★★★★★
2024	96.3	91 of 2551	96.4%	★★★★★
2019	98.6	13 of 2380	99.5%	★★★★★
2018	92.3	162 of 2262	92.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	98.8	22 of 2534	99.1%	★★★★★
2024	99.9	1 of 2552	100.0%	★★★★★
2023	96.2	97 of 2538	96.2%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	95.7	10 of 1520	99.3%	★★★★★
2024	98.9	1 of 1537	99.9%	★★★★★
2023	83.9	167 of 1543	89.2%	★★★★☆
2019	96.2	9 of 1602	99.4%	★★★★★
2018	80.9	239 of 1496	84.0%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	91.5	172 of 2162	92.0%	★★★★★
2024	96.9	74 of 2159	96.6%	★★★★★
2023	99.0	17 of 2170	99.2%	★★★★★
2022	98.3	35 of 2123	98.4%	★★★★★
2019	97.4	48 of 2133	97.7%	★★★★★
2018	98.4	11 of 2017	99.5%	★★★★★
2017	97.7	19 of 2021	99.1%	★★★★★
2016	93.9	100 of 2039	95.1%	★★★★★
2015	97.8	21 of 1994	98.9%	★★★★★
2013	62.2	479 of 2426	80.3%	★★★★☆
2012	66.8	373 of 2354	84.2%	★★★★☆
2011	82.9	105 of 2367	95.6%	★★★★★
2010	74.4	211 of 2281	90.7%	★★★★★
2009	56.4	567 of 2238	74.7%	★★★★☆
2008	77.6	155 of 2117	92.7%	★★★★★
2007	77.8	151 of 2063	92.7%	★★★★★
2006	83.6	77 of 1968	96.1%	★★★★★
2005	75.9	149 of 1901	92.2%	★★★★★
2004	79.6	76 of 1653	95.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	93.3	109 of 1906	94.3%	★★★★★
2024	94.4	96 of 1915	95.0%	★★★★★
2023	98.0	30 of 1915	98.4%	★★★★★
2022	97.5	37 of 1858	98.0%	★★★★★
2018	96.6	30 of 1760	98.3%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	95.3	97 of 1948	95.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	76.6	249 of 1155	78.4%	★★★★☆
2024	79.0	222 of 1173	81.1%	★★★★☆
2023	97.1	14 of 1193	98.8%	★★★★★
2022	91.5	66 of 1204	94.5%	★★★★★

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)

Middle school

White (2025)99th percentile~ school

Male (2025)99th percentile~ school

Female (2025)98th percentile~ school

High school

Male (2024)95th percentile~ school

Female (2025)94th percentile~ school

White (2025)78th percentile-14 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy87%+38 vs state

Science75%+42 vs state

Mathematics72%+34 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

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

Schools Near Mt. Everest Academy

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science 10th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	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
Mt. Everest Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	4350 Mt. Everest Blvd.	San Diego	92117	San Diego County	San Diego Unified	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(619) 605-8700	232	12	19.1	28.0%	116 (50.0%)	2 (0.9%)	42 (18.1%)	33 (14.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	37 (15.9%)								(n/a)		65.2		62.5		74.6				94.4	91.7	78.3	84.9	86.7				94.4	79.2	73.9	45.5	71.7	$23,429	$1,960	$21,469
Riley/New Dawn	Public, Alternative	K-12	5650 Mt. Ackerly Dr.	San Diego	92111	San Diego County	San Diego Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 302-3340	142	22	6.4	83.8%	25 (17.6%)	30 (21.1%)	68 (47.9%)	3 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (10.6%)								(n/a)					23.1	15.0		21.4			7.1		13.3	12.7		15.4		36.4	0.0		7.1	10.1	$43,701	$4,118	$39,583
Learning Choice Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4635 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.	San Diego	92117	San Diego County	Learning Choice Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 536-8388	177	11	16.2	50.3%	53 (29.9%)	19 (10.7%)	60 (33.9%)	16 (9.0%)	2 (1.1%)	5 (2.8%)	22 (12.4%)								(n/a)	46.2	30.8		42.9		40.0	66.7	37.5	46.2	29.2	58.3	38.5	85.7	49.0	50.0	31.3	23.1	20.8	50.0	23.1	21.4	29.8	$15,076	$2,824	$12,252
Whittier K-12	Public, Alternative	K-12	3401 Clairemont Dr.	San Diego	92117	San Diego County	San Diego Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 490-2770	77	9	8.5	64.9%	9 (11.7%)	13 (16.9%)	36 (46.8%)	15 (19.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (5.2%)								(n/a)																							$76,716	$9,966	$66,750
San Diego County Court	Public, Alternative	K-12	2801 Meadow Lark Dr.	San Diego	92123	San Diego County	San Diego County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 298-6857	219	33	6.7	98.6%	21 (9.6%)	32 (14.6%)	148 (67.6%)	2 (0.9%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	14 (6.4%)								(n/a)					0.0	0.0							0.0	0.0							0.0	0.0	$39,204	$11,183	$28,021
San Diego County Community	Public, Alternative	K-12	6401 Linda Vista Rd. Rm. 216	San Diego	92111	San Diego County	San Diego County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 290-5853	510	43	11.7	92.5%	38 (7.5%)	52 (10.2%)	394 (77.3%)	6 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.5%)								(n/a)		3.2			6.7	4.9					0.0	5.7	16.4	12.1					5.9	0.0	11.8	8.4	$39,543	$5,878	$33,665
Home & Hosp/Transition Support	Public, Alternative	K-12	4100 Normal St. Annex 14	San Diego	92103	San Diego County	San Diego Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 344-6435	66	16	4.2	77.3%	8 (12.1%)	5 (7.6%)	31 (47.0%)	7 (10.6%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (6.1%)	11 (16.7%)								(n/a)																							$61,332	$6,292	$55,040
Alba	Public, Alternative	1-12	4041 Oregon St.	San Diego	92104	San Diego County	San Diego Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 344-3900	20	8	2.4	85.0%	1 (5.0%)	3 (15.0%)	14 (70.0%)	1 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (5.0%)								(n/a)		0.0				0.0						0.0		0.0						0.0		0.0	$216,955	$6,375	$210,580
Altus Schools Audeo	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	10170 Huennekens St.	San Diego	92121	San Diego County	Altus Schools Audeo District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(858) 678-2050	450	15	30.6	64.0%	137 (30.4%)	28 (6.2%)	234 (52.0%)	13 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.9%)	33 (7.3%)								(n/a)	22.2	21.4	38.7	39.3	20.0	27.7	38.5		27.8	56.3	45.8	35.7	70.3	51.3	30.8		11.1	18.8	33.3	23.8	34.4	27.8	$19,865	$957	$18,908
Urban Discovery Academy Charter	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	840 14th St.	San Diego	92101	San Diego County	Urban Discovery Academy Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 788-4668	330	18	18.8	63.6%	52 (15.8%)	47 (14.2%)	189 (57.3%)	9 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	32 (9.7%)								(n/a)	28.6	0.0				20.6	21.7	12.9	25.7	25.0	38.9	31.3	63.6	28.3	26.1	12.9	22.9	9.1	11.1	0.0		16.4	$22,969	$1,269	$21,700

Frequently Asked Questions about Mt. Everest Academy

What is the racial makeup of Mt. Everest Academy?

Students at Mt. Everest Academy are 50% White, 18% Hispanic, 16% Two or more races, 14% Asian.

Is Mt. Everest Academy a good school?

Yes! Mt. Everest Academy is one of the best alternative schools in the state. It ranks 49^th of 2761 California alternative schools.

How many students attend Mt. Everest Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 232 students attended Mt. Everest Academy.

What district is Mt. Everest Academy in?

San Diego Unified

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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.