Sweetwater High School is a high school in National City, California, United States. Established in 1920, it is one of the oldest high schools in San Diego County. The flagship of Sweetwater Union High School District, SUHI predominantly serves the National City community with an enrollment of 2,675 students.
Serving 2,425 students in grades 9-12, Sweetwater High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 13% (which is lower than the California state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 38% (which is lower than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,425 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Minority Enrollment: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 82% (Btm 50% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 13% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 38% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 12% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Sweetwater High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Sweetwater High School's student population of 2,425 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 100 teachers has declined by 9% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
2,425 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
100 teachers
Year Founded
1920
Colors
Red, White, Grey
School Calendar
School Rankings
Sweetwater High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,602 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Sweetwater High School is 0.39, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#6725 out of 9602 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
24:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
12%
12%
Hispanic
77%
56%
Black
1%
5%
White
8%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
79%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
10%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Captain Inferno
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweetwater High School's ranking?
Sweetwater High School is ranked #6725 out of 9,602 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are Sweetwater High School often compared to?
Sweetwater High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Eastlake High School, Otay Ranch Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
13% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CA state average), while 38% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Sweetwater High School?
The graduation rate of Sweetwater High School is 82%, which is lower than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Sweetwater High School?
2,425 students attend Sweetwater High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
77% of Sweetwater High School students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Asian, 8% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Sweetwater High School?
Sweetwater High School has a student ration of 24:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Sweetwater High School offer ?
Sweetwater High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Sweetwater High School part of?
Sweetwater High School is part of Sweetwater Union High School District.
School Reviews
5 6/30/2018
Erratum in your statistics: Sweetwater is most assuredly NOT a charter school. We are a REAL public school, a part of Sweetwater Union High School District (In fact, the first of the district's 25 comprehensive schools. There is only one charter school in SUHSD, The MAAC Charter School. The rest are real public schools, governed by a democratically elected school board (all elected after the scandal that removed the entire previous school board.)
5 10/25/2006
I recommend sweetwater high school to the parents because it has a great quality of academic programs,it is great in sports and other estracurricular activities, such as school clubs. They have great teachers that are always there for students that need extra help with homeworks or any other question. The teachers put all their effort towards the students because they want them to learn what they need to learn for a succesfull future.
Review Sweetwater High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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