Mountain Empire Unified School District

3305 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962-4003
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 1,867 students in Mountain Empire Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Mountain Empire Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
10 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
1,867 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
86 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
22:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Mountain Empire Unified School District, which is ranked #1545 of all 1,910 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 70% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#1536 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
17%
34%
29%
47%
16%
29%
70%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.53
0.63
% American Indian
4%
1%
% Asian
n/a
12%
% Hispanic
63%
56%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
27%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,334 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,431 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$34 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$27 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,334
$19,974
Spending / Student
$14,431
$18,396

Best Mountain Empire Unified School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Descanso Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
24842 Viejas Blvd.
Descanso, CA 91916
(619) 445-2126
Gr: K-6 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #22.
Sunrise High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7454 Pine Blvd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-8693
Gr: 9-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #33.
Campo Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1654 Buckman Springs Rd.
Campo, CA 91906
(619) 478-5583
Gr: K-6 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #44.
Hillside Junior/senior High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
7454 Pine Blvd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-8693
Gr: 7-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #55.
Mountain Empire High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3305 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-8601
Gr: 9-12 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Clover Flat Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
39639 Old Highway 80
Boulevard, CA 91905
(619) 766-4655
Gr: K-6 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Mountain Empire Junior High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3305 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 326-6662
Gr: 7-8 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #88.
Potrero Elementary School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
24875 Potrero Valley Rd.
Potrero, CA 91963
(619) 478-5930
Gr: K-6 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Cottonwood Community Day
Alternative School
3291 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-9022
Gr: 7-12
3291 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-9022

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Mountain Empire Unified School District?
Mountain Empire Unified School District manages 10 public schools serving 1,867 students.
What is the rank of Mountain Empire Unified School District?
Mountain Empire Unified School District is ranked #1545 out of 1,910 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Mountain Empire Unified School District?
63% of Mountain Empire Unified School District students are Hispanic, 27% of students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Mountain Empire Unified School District?
Mountain Empire Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 22:1, which is equal to the California state average of 22:1.
What is Mountain Empire Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,431 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.

Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.

Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 10 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 1,867 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 73%
  • : 70% (Btm 50% in CA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 17% (Btm 50%)
  • : 29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 16% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links