Gompers Preparatory Academy

Gompers Preparatory Academy is a public charter high school in San Diego serving about 1,175 students in grades 6-12, and it stands out for its remarkable and rapid improvement, climbing from the 39th to the 66th percentile statewide in just two years.

This school excels in keeping students engaged and on track to graduate, with a 96.8% graduation rate and a very low 0.6% dropout rate, both figures that are significantly better than the state average and outperform most nearby schools like Lincoln High and Crawford High. It is particularly effective with its student population, achieving high rankings for students from low-income families and for English Language Learners. Furthermore, it achieves these strong outcomes while spending less per student than many comparable schools in the San Diego Unified district.

While mathematics proficiency is an area where the school, like others in the region, seeks improvement, Gompers has made great strides in other critical areas, such as reducing chronic absenteeism. The contrast with the nearby Lincoln High, which serves a similar community but has different academic outcomes, suggests that the practices and culture at Gompers Preparatory Academy are making a significant positive difference for its students.