Education and Schools in San Diego

The San Diego County Office of Education is responsible for education and schools in the county, providing services to 42 school districts. These districts provide educational programmes to 780 public elementary, middle and high schools. There's also a wide selection of private schools in San Diego. Public schools are free to attend, and while private and international schools offer high education standards, they usually charge hefty fees.

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Public schools in San Diego

Schooling in San Diego operates according to catchment areas. While children are automatically eligible to attend the school within their zoned area, applying at a school outside this area is possible through the School Choice Programme.

Generally speaking, the top schools in San Diego are in the most affluent areas and suburbs. Even these vary in quality, and the best way to ensure the school's quality is to see its facilities and staff in person.

Non-English-speaking expats have the option of sending their child to one of the city's dual-language immersion public schools. Most are Spanish, but there are also schools offering German, Mandarin and French.

Magnet schools

Magnet schools are government-funded schools that offer a specialised focus on one or several subjects, which is a fantastic option for children who show promise in a specific area of their education. There is a wide range of options, from schools with a strong emphasis on maths and science to those specialising in performance arts. Some magnet schools require an audition, but placement is normally via lottery.

Charter schools

Charter schools operate on a performance-based contract with the government. In most cases, this means that charter schools can generally be counted on to offer a good standard of education. They have greater freedom in determining their teaching styles and curricula than regular public schools. Some charter schools provide specialised curricula or subscribe to alternative teaching philosophies. Similar to magnet schools, attendance is determined by a lottery.

Useful links

• Read Education and Schools in the USA for more on the national education system.
• Visit the San Diego County Office's website for a list of schools in San Diego.

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Private schools in San Diego

Parents have access to a wealth of private schools in San Diego, with different approaches to education. While most are co-educational, some are single-sex schools. Many of San Diego's private schools offer education through a religious lens, most commonly Christian. Others favour alternative educational approaches such as Montessori.

Each school has its admission requirements, which may include application fees, tests and personal interviews. While there are no geographical restrictions on attending a private school, this also means that waiting lists are often long, and there is intense competition for places at the best schools. The academic freedom and facilities these institutions provide come at a price, so private schools are more costly than their public and charter counterparts.

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International schools in San Diego

Very few private schools in San Diego are specifically aimed at the expat community. Despite the rarity of San Diego international schools in the traditional sense of teaching a foreign country's curriculum, several public schools offer the globally recognised International Baccalaureate. For the most part, parents looking for schooling with an international element are best off opting for an International Baccalaureate or dual-immersion public school.

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Homeschooling in San Diego

Homeschooling is legal in the state of California and is regarded by the government as a form of private schooling. Parents will therefore need to complete and submit the Private School Affidavit (PSA) and submit all their curricular and instructional material for review.

Legally, children must receive some form of education between the ages of six and 18. The state doesn't offer specific guidance and advises parents to seek advice from non-governmental resources such as local homeschooling organisations.

Useful links

• The Homeschool Association of California (HSC) is one of the biggest support systems for homeschooling parents in the state.

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Special-needs education in San Diego

The San Diego Unified School District aims to identify, locate and assess all students from birth to 21 years old who may have disabilities. Support is then provided based on an Individual Education Programme (IEP), which is put together by a panel of education professionals in concert with the child's parents.

Depending on each child's individual needs, there are a few possibilities. A child with relatively mild special needs may be sent to a regular public school but receive additional services and support. There are also special day classes for moderate cases and special schools for students requiring a higher level of support.

There are also several specialised private schools in San Diego that are well-equipped to cater for students with special needs.

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Tutors in San Diego

Tutors are a widely used resource in San Diego, especially for students approaching final exams and college applications. There are many reputable companies and individuals offering a range of services for various subjects and grade levels.

Expat children who are struggling to adjust to a new curriculum or who aren't studying in their home language can benefit from tutoring. Tutors can assist bilingual children in brushing up on new language skills while maintaining mother-tongue language skills.