Poway High School
Poway, CA 92064
Phone: (858) 748-0245
Fax: (858) 679-6879
District: Poway Unified School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 2101 students
Poway High School, a public school located in Poway, CA, serves grades 9-12 in the Poway Unified School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Poway High School is a public school located in Poway, CA. 2101 students attend Poway High School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 9/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education. |
| College Readiness | 10/10 | The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 SAT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using 2019 Average ACT score data from California Department of Education, using 2019 ACT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from California Department of Education, using 2025 Percent of students who meet UC/CSU entrance requirements data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from California Department of Education. |
Posted: April 20, 2022
It is a high school that offers the most AP subjects among schools in the Poway Unified School District (PUSD) and also has the best athletic program. For example, wrestling is a place where formal Olympic training is held.
Posted: April 20, 2022
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Posted: December 4, 2021
We've been at PHS for three years, and have many more to go with all our kids. Overall, it has been a great experience. From our perspective the teachers care about their students and want them to learn and succeed. The AP teachers are phenomenal --truly passionate about their subject matter. There have been a few bumps along the road, but the administration is engaged and is committed to improvement and student outcomes. Most importantly, our child is ready for college, both socially and academically!
Posted: December 4, 2021
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Posted: May 21, 2021
Not a good school, the admin could work on some training with regards being anti racist.
Posted: May 21, 2021
Posted: February 12, 2021
My family has been very impressed with Poway High School. Mr. Nash is an outstanding leader. Very organized and extremely positive.
Staff at the school is very friendly. Most teachers have been at the school for a long time.
During distant learning, it is apparent they want the kids back on campus.
Posted: February 12, 2021
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Posted: August 1, 2020
The admin staff is very friendly and sweet here. That is all I know, I visited this school a few times and I was floored by the admin staff's polite friendly attitude.
Posted: August 1, 2020
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Posted: May 26, 2020
Very positive culture and climate. Well rounded academic program
Posted: May 26, 2020
Staff uses homework to reinforce what has been taught in class. They do not assign materials that haven't been covered in class
Posted: May 26, 2020
Posted: May 26, 2020
Principal has removed senior activities and perks which have been a Poway High tradition. This is the only Poway district school that does not do homecoming floats, homecoming court etc.
Posted: May 26, 2020
Posted: May 26, 2020
Students police themselves when it comes to negative behaviors, they deal with it appropriately. Administration does not tolerate any type of bullying or harassment
Posted: March 26, 2020
first rate school. It is large enough to offer a plethora of courses and extracurriculars.
Posted: March 26, 2020
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Posted: April 5, 2018
Posted: April 5, 2018
Posted: April 5, 2018
The students either have the character from home or they don't I don't think the teachers often insert their own personal biases & beliefs and make inappropriate comments.
Posted: April 5, 2018
the teachers do not respect the principal and the principal doesnt demand it. He has a don't bother me and I won't bother you attitude.
Posted: April 5, 2018
No they get funding for LCAP and the disabled and ESL students don't see the money.
Posted: April 5, 2018
my kid was bullied by teachers and students
Posted: April 5, 2018
Poway High is known to be a racist school. Its great if you are white and don't want your kid to like or be exposed to other races.
Posted: February 27, 2017
Absolutely fantastic. Everyone here is great and I love this school. The spirit is intense, the classes are rigorous but great for college prep, and the faculty is really helpful. The Spanish department is especially amazing. I am fluent after taking Spanish from 8th-11th grade and next year I will be taking even more.
Posted: February 27, 2017
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Posted: August 19, 2013
Started at Poway High at 84-85 and graduated in 89. Best years I had in school. Learned a lot and had a much better education compared to the education I would have gotten back in Mount Union, PA. Glad I had the opportunity to go to such a great school and meet the great staff at the time which taught me a lot.
Posted: October 15, 2012
i believe it to be a great school. i dont go there, but my cousin did. i havent heard of any problems about Poway High School. its counted as one of the ttop best schools in America. i would like to there, that is why im searching for a house near PHS.
Posted: May 11, 2012
Allow me to address this first: The Drug Problem. The drug problem in Poway has been highly exaggerated and is no way any worse than the drug problems that any other high school has encountered. The fact that we have had deaths relating to drugs does not mean that our problem is any worse. On another note, all teachers are very friendly and look to do the best for the students. Poway high has a generally very accepting environment. As a school and student body we do not tolerate any bullying when it comes to light. Student services is pretty helpful but it is mostly the students who are a very strong foundation in keeping everyone safe. Our teachers are excellent and really know their material and are very willing to help. The principal, Mr. Fisher, is one of the best principals ever. He is very supportive and always seeks out the best for the students. He engages a lot in school in order to help Poway be one of the best schools. Academic courses are challenging and rigorous although on the negative side they lack the variety of electives. Due to budget cuts the school was forced to cut down on course such as jewelry, woodshop, child development etc. Overall a great school.
Posted: March 23, 2012
We have been very happy with this school - all the teachers are very caring and the school has very good spirit/unity, etc. A word of advice though - be careful senior year and don't overload your child with too many AP classes esp the hard ones like Physics/Calc because the CA public colleges will not accept you with even one D in one semester even if you were an A student all along. Don't hesitate to get a tutor if needed. And make sure your child has at least two extracurricular activities that they can put down on college apps if they want to go to a UC. The CSUs don't ask about activities (only Cal Poly SLO and SDSU Honors). Good luck - this is a great school with a lot for your student to take advantage of!
Posted: June 24, 2011
this school has a druggie problem. there also is a bulling issue. i only know a couple people who like it there
Posted: August 13, 2008
We had three children attend this excellent high school. In addition to offering a wide array of AP classes, the extra-curricular options are varied. The marching band and orchestra programs are great--whether or not your student is particularly 'musical.' Our students were all UC-qualified. Today 2 have graduated with professional degrees and 1 remains in school.
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Torrey Highlands | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 8 mi | |
| 2 | Santee Villas | Apartment Complex | Santee | CA | 10.5 mi | |
| 3 | Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 13.6 mi | |
| 4 | Canyon View | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 13.7 mi | |
| 5 | Canyon Run Apartments | Apartment Complex | El Cajon | CA | 14.2 mi | |
| 6 | Rancho Carrillo | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 14.7 mi | |
| 7 | Del Cerro | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 15.2 mi | |
| 8 | La Costa | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlsbad | CA | 15.5 mi | |
| 9 | Windsor at Aviara | Apartment Complex | Carlsbad | CA | 16.6 mi | |
| 10 | Shadowridge | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Vista | CA | 17.4 mi | |
| 11 | Riverfront Condominium Rentals | Apartment Complex | San Diego | CA | 17.7 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch | San Diego | CA | 6 mi | |
| 2 | Torrey Highlands | San Diego | CA | 8 mi | |
| 3 | Mira Mesa | San Diego | CA | 8 mi | |
| 4 | Santee Trolley Square | Santee | CA | 11.2 mi | |
| 5 | Santee | Santee | CA | 11.5 mi | |
| 6 | University City | San Diego | CA | 14.2 mi | |
| 7 | El Cajon | El Cajon | CA | 14.5 mi | |
| 8 | Del Cerro | San Diego | CA | 14.7 mi | |
| 9 | Serra Mesa | San Diego | CA | 15.1 mi | |
| 10 | Encinitas | Encinitas | CA | 15.7 mi | |
| 11 | East County of San Diego | La Mesa | CA | 15.9 mi | |
| 12 | Kensington | San Diego | CA | 16.6 mi | |
| 13 | La Jolla | La Jolla | CA | 17.7 mi | |
| 14 | Rancho San Diego | El Cajon | CA | 18.1 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Miramar MCAS | 10.6 mi. |
| San Diego Naval Medical Center | 19.9 mi. |
| MCRD San Diego | 20.5 mi. |
| San Diego Naval Base | 22.6 mi. |
| North Island NAS | 23.2 mi. |
| Coronado Naval Amphibious Base | 23.7 mi. |
| Naval Base Point Loma | 25 mi. |
| Camp Pendleton | 32.7 mi. |
