Canyon Crest Academy

Great public high school. High graduation rate and college acceptance rate. Fortunate to have three kids go to this high school.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently go to Canyon Crest Academy. Compared to Torrey Pines, it doesnt have as many bullies (none at all, actually). It's culture is more mellow and it isn't as stressful as other schools. Virtually all the kids here graduate, and it is currently the 97th best high school in America. It has the 4 by 4 schedule (4 classes in fall, 4 classes in spring), and allows students to double up in courses such as Spanish. Overall, if you are a high schooler seeking a challenging academics, excellent sports program, and no bullying, choose this school. However, there is a lottery, so you may have to go to Torrey Pines or LCC.
—Submitted by a student

I love CCA. As a student here I excel in everything I do and I am constantly encouraged by their wonderful staff. I am incredibly proud to be a raven. Here at CCA a variety of extracurricular choices are offered particularly if you are interested in the Arts, where CCA has quite a prowess. The academics are outstanding and the teachers make learning fun. At times the homework load can be intense and rather excessive but only if you have selected a challenging course load. We also have a unique and accepting culture. For example if you walk around campus you are likely to observe that most students are smiling. Contrary to popular belief, we are not a school full of misfits and weirdos most students are primarily normal but those who aren't are lovingly accepted all the same. So at our school students regularly observe homosexual couples openly holding hands and students dressed variety of ridiculous outfits and no one objects to this. The students here are very used to weird, to test this I once brought a rainbow lightsaber to school just for fun. I didn't get a single strange look, only comments on the awesomeness of my lightsaber.
—Submitted by a student

CCA is unbelievable school! My daughter absolutely Loves her school and looks forward to it. The kids are all accepted for who they are no judgement what so ever. Everyone is very friendly and if anyone has a question you can just come and ask any kid on the campus and he/she will be glad to help. The program 4x4 really works. It's outstanding and intense but kids who want to achieve high results do well. They study a lot but it pays off at the end. My daughter is taking 11 AP courses and 5 honor. She is busy but kids are always rewarded for their achievements by teachers and administration. Yet it's not for every child. As a parent, please, evaluate carefully if your child will be capable of such intense load.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves her school so much, everyday she has a lot of home works to do but she can handle it quickly. Especially she likes her Conservatory program very much.
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot say enough great things about CCA. My daughter absolutely LOVES her school and looks forward to it. The kids can 'be themselves' and are accepted for whatever they want to be. They don't judge each other. My daughter said kids walk around playing accordians and ukuleles between classes. She had one teacher last year that used to make homemade cookies to bring in on exam days. The API score tells the story - this school is doing something right. To the mom who said they didn't support her daughter with LD/ADD - not all schools are for all kids and have programs available to support every type of student. CCA is an accelerated academic school and she should be glad they were honest with her so her daughter could get the type of education she needs.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is definitely the right school for your kid, the CCA experience is like no other school. Your child will fit in and succeed in every possible way, as long as they can deal with the work load.
—Submitted by a student

I can not say enough good things about CCA. I wanted my daughter to go here because of its excellent academics and its one of a kind arts program. Now that she has completed two years and is a junior I can say that the school exceeded my expectations. Perfect - no. Next best thing to perfect - YES. She loves her classes and teachers even though many of them pour on the homework. She loves the art Conservatory program and says that Conservatory allows her the creative and 'self' time to balance out the rigorous academics. Moreover I have met most of her teachers and many of her friends and it seems everyone at the school - teachers and students - are good people. The only shortcoming I have seen is that the CCA Foundation, the non-profit that raises money for the school - is very cliqueish and somewhat disorganized. I think the Foundation's strong personalities renders it less effective. However, the Foundation does a lot of good for thes students. As a parent of a student attending CCA you will be asked to make annual donations of about $1000. The money is a good investment, the school is worth it.
—Submitted by a parent

Great campus, kids seem diverse but accepting. The classes are larger than expected in some cases, but only 12 kids were in my son's algebra class, so it averages out? He is very happy there, making progress and friends in a safe environment; as a parent, what more can we wish for?
—Submitted by a parent

This school is FABULOUS. I'm a freshman here at CCA and I love every minute of my experience. I love the 4x4 (it gives you so much breathing room) and I love the mellow enviornment. Everyday I see kids walking around doing things they would never be able to do at Torrey PInes. Kids wearing things, making music, ect. Everyone at CCA accepts that. They know that if they don't accept those kids for who they are, then CCA is not the school for them. CCA actually (believe it or not) has outstanding athletics. Even though chances of making Varsity as a freshman are still slim (like torrey pines), the enviornment is sill so non competative that you can focus on being the best player, and teammate you can be rather than just looking good in front of everyone else. The 4x4 is really useful if you take advantage of it. By sophmore year, i'll be done with AP spanish (6 years of language). Outstanding school, outstanding people, outstanding teachers, best school EVER.
—Submitted by a student

Canyon Crest is the right school for me!!! I love their schedule and it's teachers are excellent. I am currently a student there and I have loved every day. It has a beautiful campus and classes that are extraordinary and spectacular that no other school around offers. It is challenging but yet offers offers hope to those who struggle. I have met four of my best teachers at this school and I have failed to see or get any teacher that is below average. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN A SERIOUS SCHOOL CAREER!
—Submitted by a student

Amazing school! Professional staff, challenging environment, and well-rounded opportunities. It has been a pleasant reintroduction to public schools for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

greatest school i have ever attended. it is about 6 years old and has already surpassed 30 year old schools in its area in academic, sports, and arts. dont let 'pro-torrey pines maniacs' make you think otherwise. CCA has higher scores than them, and altough the sports at CCA arent as good as at TP it is getting there.

I currently attend this school, and I feel like I have made the best decision ever. I wanted to go to a school where I could learn in peace and as much as I want. I didn't care that its sports weren't as good as TP. I didn't care that everyone thought it was an emo school (which it isn't it is a lot better than TP because you aren't judged by looks, but how hard you try). The 4x4 is amazing and I feel as if I left all my friend who went to TP behind. It truly is an amazing school, and not a school for people who couldn't go to TP because our API is higher, its average SAT scores are higher, and also we beat TP in academic team, and also we wen't to state in the engineering club.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated CCA last year and it is a great school. It has an emphasis on the arts and a great staff.
—Submitted by a student

CCA has all the qualities of a private school. It is amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

CCA is a fantastic school with interesting and supportive teachers, good parent participation, and outstanding kids!
—Submitted by a parent

We couldn't be happier with this school. The academic standard is very high, and there is a spirit of acceptance and tolerance for all students that seems to be missing from many high schools. I have yet to encounter an unreasonable staff member. Everyone from teachers to administrators to students to other parents will bend over backward to help. I feel my daughter is so very fortunate to get the arts component in her education, indeed a luxury at most public schools these days. I think art enhances academics, and the math and science programs here are second to none. We are so fortunate to be a part of this fabulous school!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree. A lot of good teachers and counselors left the school this year. It is especially difficult for Junior and Senior students who have to deal with the new counselors to get their recommendation.
—Submitted by a parent

Student counselors are too inexperienced and passive in interactive communications with parents. I feel that they are little helpful.
—Submitted by a parent