Classical Academy High School

207 East Pennsylvania Avenue

Escondido, CA 92025

School District

Escondido Union High
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

charter

School Map for Escondido Union High School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 06, 2022

My child graduated with the class of 2022. I have such mixed feelings about the school. There are excellent teachers and a variety of opportunities at the school - impressive considering it’s not very big. It’s also great that all academic levels and interests are supported. Whether your child wants to get their diploma and be done with school or go to an Ivy and everything in between, they have something for them. The problem is the parents and their self righteous offspring. If you’re a stereotypical white, (fake) Christian family, you’ll do well here with others like you. Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Pro-Life Club, etc. will all be right up your alley. But if you want your child educated and not indoctrinated, you’re going to have to stay heavily involved in your child’s education to ensure they’re not only seeing one side of the coin. It’s disappointing that a PUBLIC charter school allows its parents control as if it were a private school. I recommend this school but only with serious hesitation and highly recommend you keep an eye on your child’s learning at home.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2021

Great school - if you want to teach your child what not to be in life. Racism, bullying, spreading false information, and more run rampant. From the administration to the students - there is little room at this school for actual intelligence.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2020

Excellent. So happy we found this school
Submitted by student on July 02, 2019

I'd give it a nine out of ten.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

As a freshman at this high school, I recommend it to ANYONE. I love going to school because of its positive atmosphere and great teachers and people. I have absolutely no complaints about my school in true honesty. So many great opportunities, dances, events, and sports. I don't know how you could not like this school.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2017

We love the 4X4 schedule and the support given to students by teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2017

This school has changed my daughters life for the better!
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2017

My kids have attended Classical since Kindergarten through HS. Their no-frill and unencumbered approach to education is refreshing and produces positive results.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2015

We are moving to the Carlsbad area this summer. CAHS looks like a great fit for our son. We are considering trying the hybrid 10th grade program where the student spends 4 days at the Oceanside campus and the remainder is home school. Does anyone have a personal experience with this program and if so - what has your experience been? Thanks in advance!
Submitted by principal on January 09, 2015

I am blessed to serve so many amazing students, parents, and staff members at Classical Academy High School. CAHS has grown over the past 9 years from 100 to 900 students while continuing to personalize the education for each student while maintaining a strong partnership with parents. We recently opened our brand new campus in downtown Escondido by renovating the North County Times building. Please go to our website at www.classicalacademy.com for more information on our programs and for enrollment information.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2014

All 3 of my kids attended CAHS and loved every minute of it. The staff is involved, engaged, solution oriented and supportive. The other students, parents, and families are quality people who value the educational process. The large number of high caliber people with integrity and ethics provides an environment that is highly conducive to learning. The students come from all walks of life. As a whole, the student body is very accepting, very inclusive, and very open. My kids participated in football, swim, water polo, choir, musical theater, robotics team, and ASB. Also, instead of taking AP classes, my kids were concurrently enrolled in college took courses at Palomar. It is an amazing school and program. As for college, my first kid is graduating next year with a mechanical engineering degree, my second just graduated from paramedic academy and was accepted into the fire academy, and my third just applied to the nursing program at CSUSM. CAHS more than prepared them for college and beyond.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2014

We are so grateful to have found Classical Academy five years ago, while searching for a middle school/high school. My son's experience has been positive and we feel that Classical's high standards have offered the best option for our son to remain focused and excel in his studies. The diverse body of students seem much more settled, less likely to get into trouble and appear to be enjoying the Caiman experience.
Submitted by student on July 08, 2014

As an incoming-sophomore this fall, I am extremely grateful I go here. Last fall, I was debating on whether to attend Classical Academy High School, Torrey Pines, or Canyon Crest, all of which were options that were open to me. While Torrey Pines and Canyon Crest had more to offer (AP classes, more class slots) I ended up attending Classical Academy. I was a bit disappointed, I was a lifer at one of the K-8 schools and wanted to break free from the mold, but after attending for a year I am glad I stayed. While my GPA may have been higher at the other schools, at CAHS, I have gotten a support that is far better than the other schools. I have a wide range of friends that attend that school, and have heard complaints about it. Reasons That I Love About CAHS 1) Students are kind, respectful, and are against bullying. 2) Misbehavior is not tolerated. There were students that mistreated me on my first day, and that student was sent to detention. Not only did the school condemn it, several upperclassmen were very firm in their fight against bullying the "fresh meat." 3) Teachers are an active part of the student's life. They spend time outside of the classroom meeting with students.
Submitted by other on June 10, 2014

This is a great school with great accountability and has many different classes, AP classes, sports, and different after school programs.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

Our daughter had recently invited a friend from a public high school to join her for the day at Classical Academy High School. The friend was astounded at how friendly and relaxed the teachers and the students were to each other. She said it felt like everyone was part of a big family. She could not believe how "open everyone is". At lunch, she mentioned how everybody mingled with each other. At her school, she said "you stick to your own group" and you do not socialize with anyone else. We feel like the luckiest parents alive to have found such a school as Classical Academy.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2013

If you share the secular beliefs with the majority of the school then Classical Academy is a great place, however if you don't then this is not a good school. Classical Academy walks the line between being a private church school and a public school. Students are ostracized if they don't share the same beliefs as everyone else. Some teachers and staff members can be very narrow minded. The quality of education is average at best. The school touts high test scores, but look at the population of the school. They don't have the same issues other schools in Escondido do (ie EL students, special education students, etc.). It truly feels like 95% of the time is spent patting themselves on the back. If you want your children to be successful in the real world, past high school, this school does a terrible job of preparing students. Not somewhere I would want to send my children again.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2013

Classical Academy High School is a school that cares - in every way possible. From the Principal who is involved with every aspect of the school (he is often seen filling in as a crossing guard when someone is absent) to teachers that are available before and after school, to support staff that is friendly and professional, to teacher support tutors who are available for the students and parents whenever you need them. This school has a full sports program for boys and girls, music, dance, visual arts, robotics, academic league, and any other club or activity you want. If they don't have it now, they will start it for you! We even have a video and board gaming club. CAHS has caring involved parents and students who are respectful and love their school. You can't find a better school than CAHS and we have been here since the start of the school. Can't wait for the new campus in 2014!!!
Submitted by other on October 25, 2013

We are very pleased with the progress our grandson has made since attending this school. Due to the quality of the program, he is more focused on his studies.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2013

Classical Academy High School has everything you would want from a high school beginning with outstanding teachers and great role models!
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2013

Amazing! Incredible staff, who really care about the students. Parent involvement is ongoing and strong. CIF sports. The best part?......The students! They are supportive of one another, they are just nice, respectful kids who are great members of our society already! They are undeniably gifted academically and mark my words, some day these kids will grow up to be the success stories, no matter if that means being great parents, inventors, company owners, or Nobel prize winners! CAHS rocks! They have the most humble of campuses I've ever seen, but they excel anyways!