Best Neighborhoods for Schools in National City, CA

National City's highest school score is 3.0 out of 5, in Granger. 0 ranked National City neighborhoods score 4 out of 5 or higher for schools. Old Town follows at 2.7 out of 5.

Houseberry scores 7 National City neighborhoods on schools, safety, amenities, price, value and appreciation. School scores in National City run from 2.4 to 3.0 out of 5, and 0 score 4 out of 5 or higher. Typical home prices range from $633,000 in Old Town to $706,000 in Granger across 5 priced neighborhoods. Across the five nearest cities the average school score is 3.1 out of 5, against 2.6 in National City.

Learn more about National City, CA.

1st
Map placeholder for Granger, National City, CA - not a photo of the neighborhood

Granger, National City, CA

Overall Score : 3.0/5
SCHOOL3.0/5
SAFETY3.5/5
AMENITIES2.7/5
PRICE$706,000
APPRECIATION2.10 %
VALUE$51kUndervalued

Keywords: Plaza Bonita, Sweetwater Bikeway, Movie Theater

Granger fills the southeastern edge of National City, between 16th Street and the Sweetwater River, with Interstate 805 on one side and the Bonita line on the other. It shares a name with Granger Avenue, and a regional mall sits at its southern tip. ... See Full Page

2nd
Map placeholder for Old Town, National City, CA - not a photo of the neighborhood

Old Town, National City, CA

Overall Score : 2.7/5
SCHOOL2.7/5
SAFETY3.0/5
AMENITIES2.5/5
PRICE$633,000
APPRECIATION2.40 %
VALUE$56kUndervalued

Keywords: Pepper Park, National City Depot, Bayfront Art Walk

Old Town is National City's original westside, the blocks between Interstate 5 and National City Boulevard south of Plaza Boulevard, plus the bayfront on the far side of the freeway. The first transcontinental rail line in the San Diego area ended here, and this is still the part of the city where homes, shops and industry sit side by side. ... See Full Page

3rd
Map placeholder for El Toyon, National City, CA - not a photo of the neighborhood

El Toyon, National City, CA

Overall Score : 3.0/5
SCHOOL2.7/5
SAFETY3.6/5
AMENITIES2.9/5
PRICE$705,000
APPRECIATION2.30 %
VALUE$36kUndervalued

Keywords: El Toyon Park, East Plaza Boulevard, Dog Run

Across Interstate 805 from the rest of town, El Toyon holds the northeast end of National City, running from 16th Street up to the San Diego city line. East Plaza Boulevard is its main road, and the stretch inside the neighborhood is lined with Filipino turo-turo counters, bakeries and markets. ... See Full Page

4th
Map placeholder for Central, National City, CA - not a photo of the neighborhood

Central, National City, CA

Overall Score : 2.8/5
SCHOOL2.6/5
SAFETY3.3/5
AMENITIES3.1/5
PRICE$685,000
APPRECIATION2.20 %
VALUE$6kOvervalued

Keywords: Heritage Square, Filipino Bakeries, Eighth Street

Central takes in most of National City north of 18th Street, from the Victorian blocks along A Avenue east to Interstate 805. The city's oldest buildings stand here, a few blocks from a long run of Filipino bakeries, grills and markets on 8th Street and Plaza Boulevard. ... See Full Page

5th
Map placeholder for Las Palmas, National City, CA - not a photo of the neighborhood

Las Palmas, National City, CA

Overall Score : 3.0/5
SCHOOL2.5/5
SAFETY3.8/5
AMENITIES2.9/5
PRICE$681,600(1)
APPRECIATION2.20 %(2)
VALUE$21k(2)Undervalued

(1) Limited data(2) City data used

Keywords: Stein Family Farm, Highland Avenue, Municipal Pool

Las Palmas is one of the smallest neighborhoods in National City, a few dense blocks south of 18th Street between D Avenue and Highland Avenue. It sits between downtown's civic buildings and the city's main commercial avenue, and its best-known address is a historic farm. ... See Full Page

6th
Map placeholder for Olivewood, National City, CA - not a photo of the neighborhood

Olivewood, National City, CA

Overall Score : 2.9/5
SCHOOL2.5/5
SAFETY3.5/5
AMENITIES3/5
PRICE$679,000
APPRECIATION2.00 %
VALUE$27kUndervalued

Keywords: Olivewood Gardens, Golf Course, Las Palmas Park

Olivewood stretches across the southern part of National City from 24th Street down to the Sweetwater River and State Route 54. Highland Avenue and Sweetwater Road are its two commercial spines, and Interstate 805 marks the eastern edge. ... See Full Page

7th
Map placeholder for Downtown, National City, CA - not a photo of the neighborhood

Downtown, National City, CA

Overall Score : 3.0/5
SCHOOL2.4/5
SAFETY3.8/5
AMENITIES3.1/5
PRICE$681,600(1)
APPRECIATION2.20 %(2)
VALUE$21k(2)Undervalued

(1) Limited data(2) City data used

Keywords: Kimball Park, Civic Center, Skate Park

Downtown National City is a narrow civic strip between National City Boulevard and D Avenue, running south from Plaza Boulevard. Most of the land belongs to Kimball Park and the buildings around it, so the neighborhood feels less like a business district and more like the city's front yard. ... See Full Page

Scores updated November 2026

Best Neighborhoods for Schools

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National City schools: your questions, answered

What are the best neighborhoods for schools in National City?

Granger has the highest school score in National City, at 3.0 out of 5. The next highest school scores in National City are Old Town (2.7 out of 5) and El Toyon (2.7 out of 5).

What do homes cost in National City's top-scoring school neighborhoods?

Across the top 4 National City neighborhoods by school score, the typical home price is $695,000. Prices among those top 4 National City neighborhoods run from $633,000 in Old Town to $706,000 in Granger.

What is the most affordable National City neighborhood with a high school score?

Old Town has the lowest typical home price, $633,000, among National City neighborhoods scoring 2.5 out of 5 or higher for schools and priced below the National City typical home price of $685,000; Old Town scores 2.7 out of 5 for schools. Olivewood (2.5 out of 5, $679,000) also scores 2.5 out of 5 or higher for schools below the National City typical home price.

Which National City neighborhoods have school scores of 4 out of 5 or higher?

0 of 7 ranked National City neighborhoods score 4 out of 5 or higher for schools.

How does National City compare with nearby cities for schools?

National City neighborhoods average 2.6 out of 5 for schools. The nearest cities average Lincoln Acres 2.3, Coronado 4.4, Bonita 3.4, Lemon Grove 2.6 and La Presa 2.6.