Annually, the San Dieguito Union High School District hosts a high school selection; during this time students within the district choose between San Dieguito Academy(SDA), La Costa Canyon (LCC), Canyon Crest Academy(CCA), and Torrey Pines. At the end of the 2021 high school selection, SDA approved 595 freshmen, 560 sophomores, 596 juniors, and 474 seniors. However, 569 freshmen accepted admission, projecting that the 2025 graduating class will continue to reduce over time. 

Despite all the controversy over the size of the 2025 Freshmen class, this has not been the largest freshman class in the last couple of years. At the end of high school selection in 2019, there were 622 incoming freshmen. Approximately nine to ten new teachers were hired in order to maintain class sizes. Legally,there is a cap of 38 students per class as agreed upon in a contract by the teachers association with the district. However, some may notice that their classes have more students than this number, this is due to the fact that these classes typically experience attrition and will level out.  

SDA prides itself on providing the best high school experience for its students, not only in an emotionally safe environment but also a physically safe one. An environment where students can thrive as individuals. When asked why he believed so many students decided to come to SDA, Principal Adam Camacho said ¨The staff here believes in serving our kids at the highest level and that’s what our focus is. Our culture is amazing, the best part about it is that we all get to contribute to it in our own way. Frankly I think the word is out, SDA is an awesome place to go to school. It’s an awesome place to learn, it’s an awesome place to connect with people and your peers. That’s the environment that we are privileged to have but also one that requires work and contribution to keeping it thriving and that’s our commitment, that shows in everything that we do.¨

The increase in students has not negatively affected the school financially. SDA is a ¨basic aid versus prepupal revenue¨ school, so the district gets funded and managed through the LCAP. Essentially, funding is done through property taxes to ensure the school is properly budgeted. 

When asked if a lottery system will be necessary during next year’s high school selection, Camacho explained , ¨At this point, if we keep trending in the direction that we have the last several years, I think that a lottery is inevitable. It’s the only way to make sure we don’t exceed our capacity. And that’s a hard process to accomplish because we are not about excluding kids. It goes contrary to what we believe here at SDA.¨  While people complain that the lottery system does not allow students to attend their school of choice, it is imperative that schools manage their overall numbers. Teachers need a place on campus to prep, not only their instructional material but also to prep activities. It is impossible to have every single seat filled in every period of the day.

 The spread of COVID has also added additional concern and safety implications; however, SDA has remained adamant on following all health and safety protocols. Since the beginning of the school year,Camacho confirmed that only three students transferred to LCC,  for a variety of reasons such as wanting to play football, cheerlead, or be with friends.

Irrespective of large class sizes and a packed campus, SDA continues to be a school desired by many for its academics, acceptance, and safety.