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Vista Unified School District

Item: Vista Unified School District
Rating: 6
Author: Public School Review

1234 Arcadia Ave.
Vista, CA 92084-3404

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (760) 726-2170

www.vistausd.org

Top Rankings

Vista Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

26 Schools

2,795 Schools

# Students

18,096 Students

2,122,733 Students

# Teachers

879 Teachers

101,050 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

21:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Vista Unified School District	California
4	2	10
5	1	10
6	4	14
7	5	20
8	2	21
9	1,365	231
10	1,393	225
11	1,352	226
12	1,652	235

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District Rank

Vista Unified School District, which is ranked #791 of all 1,904 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 85% has decreased from 89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#807 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District
2023	#807
2022	#898
2021	#405
2019	#812
2018	#487
2017	#484
2016	#518
2015	#529
2014	#389
2013	#506
2012	#390

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32%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	32%	34%
2022	29%	33%
2021	32%	34%
2019	37%	40%
2018	34%	39%
2017	33%	38%
2016	31%	37%
2015	29%	34%
2014	55%	63%
2013	57%	59%
2012	62%	59%

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43%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2022	43%	47%
2021	59%	49%
2019	50%	51%
2018	34%	50%
2017	46%	48%
2016	45%	48%
2015	41%	44%
2014	52%	58%
2013	54%	57%
2012	59%	58%
2011	57%	56%

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27%

29%

85%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	85%	87%
2022	86%	87%
2021	82%	84%
2020	86%	85%
2019	86%	84%
2018	89%	84%
2017	86%	83%
2016	85%	83%
2015	85%	89%
2014	83%	88%
2013	81%	87%

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(2022-23)

26.3%

27.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	26.3%	27.7%
2022	42.6%	33%
2021	20.8%	15.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.51

0.63

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	0.50	0.64
2022	0.51	0.63
2021	0.51	0.62
2020	0.51	0.63
2019	0.51	0.63
2018	0.52	0.64
2017	0.52	0.64
2016	0.53	0.64
2015	0.54	0.64
2014	0.55	0.65
2013	0.56	0.65
2012	0.57	0.65
2011	0.58	0.67
2010	0.58	0.67
2009	0.63	0.71
2008	0.58	0.65
2007	0.61	0.67
2006	0.61	0.66
2005	0.62	0.67
2004	0.62	0.67
2003	0.62	0.67
2002	0.63	0.67
2001	0.62	0.67
2000	0.61	0.67
1999	0.61	0.67
1998	0.61	0.67
1997	0.60	0.67
1996	0.60	0.67
1995	0.60	0.67
1994	0.59	0.67
1993	0.58	0.67
1992	0.57	0.67
1991	0.55	0.67

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2012)
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	2%	1%
2008	1%	1%
2007	2%	2%
2006	2%	1%
2005	2%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	2%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Asian

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	3%	12%
2022	3%	12%
2021	3%	12%
2020	4%	12%
2019	4%	12%
2018	3%	11%
2017	3%	11%
2016	4%	11%
2015	5%	11%
2014	4%	11%
2013	5%	11%
2012	4%	11%
2011	4%	11%
2010	4%	11%
2009	4%	11%
2008	6%	12%
2007	7%	12%
2006	7%	12%
2005	7%	12%
2004	6%	12%
2003	6%	11%
2002	6%	11%
2001	6%	11%
2000	7%	11%
1999	6%	11%
1998	6%	11%
1997	6%	11%
1996	6%	11%
1995	6%	11%
1994	6%	11%
1993	5%	11%
1992	5%	11%
1991	5%	11%

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% Hispanic

66%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	67%	55%
2022	67%	56%
2021	67%	56%
2020	66%	55%
2019	66%	55%
2018	65%	54%
2017	65%	54%
2016	64%	54%
2015	62%	54%
2014	62%	53%
2013	60%	53%
2012	59%	52%
2011	58%	51%
2010	58%	50%
2009	53%	49%
2008	56%	50%
2007	52%	49%
2006	50%	48%
2005	47%	47%
2004	46%	46%
2003	45%	45%
2002	43%	44%
2001	42%	43%
2000	39%	42%
1999	38%	41%
1998	37%	40%
1997	37%	40%
1996	35%	39%
1995	34%	38%
1994	32%	37%
1993	31%	36%
1992	30%	35%
1991	28%	34%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	2%	5%
2022	2%	5%
2021	2%	5%
2020	2%	5%
2019	2%	5%
2018	3%	6%
2017	3%	6%
2016	3%	6%
2015	3%	6%
2014	3%	6%
2013	4%	6%
2012	4%	6%
2011	5%	7%
2010	5%	7%
2009	5%	7%
2008	6%	8%
2007	6%	8%
2006	5%	8%
2005	6%	8%
2004	6%	8%
2003	6%	8%
2002	7%	8%
2001	6%	8%
2000	6%	9%
1999	6%	9%
1998	6%	9%
1997	6%	9%
1996	6%	9%
1995	6%	9%
1994	6%	9%
1993	6%	9%
1992	5%	9%
1991	5%	9%

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% White

23%

21%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	22%	21%
2022	22%	21%
2021	22%	22%
2020	23%	23%
2019	23%	23%
2018	24%	24%
2017	24%	24%
2016	25%	24%
2015	25%	24%
2014	26%	25%
2013	27%	25%
2012	28%	26%
2011	29%	27%
2010	29%	27%
2009	29%	28%
2008	31%	29%
2007	33%	29%
2006	36%	31%
2005	38%	31%
2004	41%	32%
2003	42%	34%
2002	43%	35%
2001	45%	36%
2000	46%	37%
1999	49%	38%
1998	50%	39%
1997	50%	39%
1996	52%	40%
1995	53%	41%
1994	55%	42%
1993	57%	43%
1992	59%	44%
1991	61%	45%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2015)
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2015	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%

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% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2023)
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	5%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	4%	4%
2019	4%	4%
2018	5%	4%
2017	5%	4%
2016	4%	4%
2015	4%	3%
2014	4%	3%
2013	3%	3%
2012	3%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	2%	3%
2009	6%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,208 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 21% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,824 is less than the state median of $18,512. The school district spending/student has grown by 13% over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$330 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	$329 MM	$8 MM
2022	$305 MM	$7 MM
2021	$329 MM	$8 MM
2020	$305 MM	$7 MM
2019	$321 MM	$7 MM
2018	$305 MM	$29 MM
2017	$299 MM	$26 MM
2016	$292 MM	$24 MM
2015	$223 MM	$17 MM
2014	$244 MM	$21 MM
2012	$227 MM	$19 MM
2011	$223 MM	$19 MM
2010	$223 MM	$17 MM
2009	$244 MM	$19 MM
2008	$288 MM	$19 MM
2007	$240 MM	$19 MM
2006	$222 MM	$17 MM
2005	$221 MM	$16 MM
2004	$232 MM	$16 MM
2003	$239 MM	$16 MM
2002	$217 MM	$15 MM
2001	$211 MM	$15 MM
2000	$210 MM	$13 MM
1999	$162 MM	$12 MM
1998	$163 MM	$11 MM
1997	$136 MM	$10 MM
1996	$119 MM	$9 MM
1995	$108 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$304 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	$304 MM	$7 MM
2022	$301 MM	$7 MM
2021	$304 MM	$7 MM
2020	$301 MM	$7 MM
2019	$317 MM	$7 MM
2018	$302 MM	$29 MM
2017	$291 MM	$24 MM
2016	$280 MM	$23 MM
2015	$224 MM	$18 MM
2014	$220 MM	$21 MM
2012	$213 MM	$19 MM
2011	$203 MM	$19 MM
2010	$224 MM	$18 MM
2009	$252 MM	$18 MM
2008	$248 MM	$19 MM
2007	$266 MM	$18 MM
2006	$231 MM	$17 MM
2005	$252 MM	$16 MM
2004	$275 MM	$17 MM
2003	$235 MM	$15 MM
2002	$229 MM	$16 MM
2001	$227 MM	$14 MM
2000	$181 MM	$13 MM
1999	$158 MM	$11 MM
1998	$160 MM	$11 MM
1997	$138 MM	$10 MM
1996	$123 MM	$8 MM
1995	$109 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$18,208

$20,100

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	$17,532	$15,607
2022	$15,012	$14,213
2021	$16,724	$15,669
2020	$15,012	$14,213
2019	$15,504	$14,063
2018	$12,343	$16,033
2017	$11,880	$16,692
2016	$11,581	$15,604
2015	$8,782	$10,238
2014	$9,494	$11,786
2012	$8,803	$11,929
2011	$8,626	$11,681
2010	$8,512	$10,238
2009	$9,115	$11,099
2008	$10,648	$11,762
2007	$8,911	$11,879
2006	$8,481	$10,859
2005	$8,359	$10,445
2004	$8,614	$10,566
2003	$8,615	$10,456
2002	$7,747	$9,803
2001	$7,615	$10,568
2000	$7,445	$8,943
1999	$6,111	$8,203
1998	$6,293	$7,395
1997	$5,486	$6,922
1995	$4,675	$5,953
1992	$4,465	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$16,824

$18,512

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Vista Unified School District	California
2023	$16,199	$13,914
2022	$14,846	$13,602
2021	$15,453	$13,970
2020	$14,846	$13,602
2019	$15,278	$13,522
2018	$12,214	$16,124
2017	$11,564	$15,588
2016	$11,091	$14,779
2015	$8,853	$10,739
2014	$8,574	$11,804
2012	$8,288	$12,155
2011	$7,840	$11,509
2010	$8,581	$10,739
2009	$9,414	$10,975
2008	$9,192	$11,678
2007	$9,861	$11,317
2006	$8,803	$10,926
2005	$9,526	$10,789
2004	$10,175	$11,073
2003	$8,489	$10,210
2002	$8,175	$10,600
2001	$8,227	$10,007
2000	$6,411	$9,131
1999	$5,987	$7,911
1998	$6,164	$7,592
1997	$5,531	$6,759
1995	$4,681	$6,033
1992	$4,730	$5,588

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Best Vista Unified School District Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Mission Vista High School

Alternative School

(Math: 52% | Reading: 88%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

1306 Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-6800

Gr: 9-12 | 1,670 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%

Rank: #22.

Vista Adult Transition Center

Special Education School

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

325 East Bobier Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 758-3400

Gr: 12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 73%

Rank: #33.

Rancho Buena Vista High School

(Math: 26% | Reading: 65%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1601 Longhorn Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 727-7284

Gr: 9-12 | 1,949 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 79%

Rank: #44.

Vista High School

(Math: 22% | Reading: 49%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1 Panther Way
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 726-5611

Gr: 9-12 | 1,746 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 91%

Rank: #55.

Vista Visions Academy

Alternative School

(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1575 Bonair Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 724-4785

Gr: K-12 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%

Rank: #66.

Alta Vista High (Continuation School)

Alternative School

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1575 Bonair Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 724-3775

Gr: 9-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 95%

Rank: #77.

Major General Raymond Murray High School

Alternative School

(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

215 North Melrose Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
(760) 631-2502

Gr: 10-12 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 26 schools
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 18,096 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Minority Enrollment: 78%
: 85% (Top 50% in CA)
: Top 50%
: 32% (Top 50%)
: 43% (Top 50%)
: 27% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education