Summary:
ZIP code 92126 has 10 schools: seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. In 2025–2026, their average proficiency was 61% in English language arts (ELA), 56% in math and 48% in science, compared with state averages of 49%, 38% and 36%. Nine schools were above the state in math, while seven were above in ELA and eight in science. The biggest takeaway for families is that above-state averages mask substantial differences between schools, especially in science, where results span 48 percentage points.
Leaders vary by subject: Mira Mesa High topped ELA at 82%, while Hickman Elementary narrowly led math at 71%, just 1 point above Ericson Elementary. Jonas Salk Elementary led science at 74%, 16 points ahead of Hickman. At the lower end, Hage Elementary had the lowest science result (26%) and second-lowest ELA (41%); Mason Elementary had the lowest ELA (40%) and second-lowest science (28%). The middle schools also differ sharply: Challenger Middle exceeded Wangenheim Middle by 24 points in ELA, 26 in math and 17 in science.
Year-to-year changes were mixed: the average ELA result fell by 1 point from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026, while math rose by 1 point and science by 3; the area’s lead over the state narrowed slightly in ELA and science and was nearly unchanged in math. SchoolDigger’s 2025–2026 statewide percentile rank was 92 for Challenger, compared with 63 for Wangenheim; Jonas Salk’s rank stayed at 91 from 2023–2024 to 2025–2026. Both middle schools report the same 24.5 student-teacher ratio for 2024–2025, despite their different results. All schools report free/reduced lunch eligibility for 2024–2025; figures range from 40% at Ericson to 76% at Walker Elementary, providing context but not explaining school outcomes. Comparisons across schools should be considered alongside their different grade spans.
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