Have you ever wanted to go to a private school but didn’t want to deal with uniforms and high tuition prices? If so, Del Lago Academy might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s technically a public school, but almost everything about it will make you think otherwise.

Once you step through the front gates, you’re greeted by modern, uniform architecture. Designed by BakerNowicki Design Studio, the biotech-focused magnet school features large windows that take advantage of its elevated location, distinct zones that serve different purposes, and no bell system at all. The absence of bells is meant to prepare students for college life, where you’re expected to track your own schedule. The entire campus layout feels more like a small university than a traditional high school.

College preparation is one of the school’s biggest selling points. They proudly display “80%+ of DLA graduates meet UC readiness” on their website, and their mission statement reads: “Preparing future scholars, innovators, and world citizens.” According to Niche, DLA scores an A– in college prep, matching San Pasqual High School and ranking higher than other schools in the district. But when you compare the numbers, the gap is smaller than it sounds. DLA’s average SAT score is 1160, only 10 points higher than San Pasqual’s, and SPHS actually edges them out on the ACT with a 26 compared to DLA’s 25. San Pasqual also manages this with more than twice as many students.

Del Lago is statistically ranked as the best school in Escondido and among the top 15 in California. However, I don’t think this is entirely due to a revolutionary teaching method. A large part of it comes down to who gets in. Unlike neighborhood schools, Del Lago requires students to apply and be selected. While the school uses a random lottery system, only motivated students are likely to apply in the first place. This naturally filters out students who may not care as much about academics. It’s similar to Ivy League universities: if you only accept driven, high-achieving students, your student body will naturally be filled with driven, high-achieving students.

Statistics aside, the experience at Del Lago is genuinely good. Even though classes are longer than at other schools, they rarely feel sluggish or boring. The curriculum is built on project work and collaboration. Instead of simply taking notes on an essay, you might use its techniques to run your own experiments. You may not end up with a thick stack of notes, but you’ll walk away with the motivation to study because the class itself wasn’t dull or painfully formal. And because you’re constantly building, presenting, and sometimes scrambling to finish a project at two in the morning, you learn how to think on your feet.

With longer-than-average classes, comfortable seating becomes important. When it works, it’s great: ergonomic chairs, big tables, and even computers built into desks. But about a quarter of the time, something is broken — a snapped height adjustment lever, a wobbly leg, or an entire chair giving out. It’s still better than the Virco 9000 that you’ll find elseware, but it’s a reminder that, in the end, you’re still at a public school.

If you completely bomb a test, most schools would require you to beg for extra credit or accept the low grade. At Del Lago, you can redo that test anytime during the semester without losing points. The same applies to regular assignments. Redo them, and your GPA can suddenly look much better. This system is far easier than chasing teachers for bonus work, but it has a downside. Knowing you can redo something later makes it tempting to procrastinate, and work can stack up until the end of the semester, when you’re buried under a mountain of last-minute redos.

While grading policies shape how you handle your workload, the campus itself shapes your daily life. The elevated location offers some great views. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Interstate 15 and the local hospital. The big windows make the place feel bright and open, but they also make it hard to see projectors because the blinds don’t block all the sunlight. The surrounding greenery is nice until you remember it’s home to ants, spiders, and the occasional coyote. Ants are everywhere, which explains the “no food inside” rule. Spiders like to build webs under door handles, and coyotes sometimes wander by as if they own the place.

Then there’s the saga of the fire alarms. At the start of the school year, they malfunctioned multiple times, including on the very first day. For weeks, it felt like we were evacuating every other day. Thankfully, that issue seems to be fixed now.

Like any public school over a decade old, Del Lago has some wear and tear. Tiles are missing, parts are bent, and cracks run along the concrete floors. Compared to Escondido High School, which is over 100 years older, Del Lago is still in good condition. But there’s a key difference: if Escondido High wanted to renovate, they could demolish unused buildings and build modern facilities. Del Lago has only three main buildings. If one needed major renovation, students and teachers would have to work in the same space as construction crews. This could be disruptive and unsafe if not handled carefully. Most schools would use portable classrooms during construction, but Del Lago has limited flat space for them, making renovations challenging unless they happen during long holiday breaks.

Del Lago also lacks certain parts of the traditional high school experience. Sports are limited, most notably football. The school says this is because it’s located in a suburban neighborhood where floodlights would disturb residents. For prom, most schools crown a king and queen. Del Lago skips this, saying they want to promote equality, though many students would probably prefer to have the tradition. Combined with the smaller student body and unique educational model, the school feels even more like a private school.

When it comes to clubs and extracurriculars, most schools offer a wide variety, from vehicle repair to cooking. Del Lago has fewer programs, and some feel less developed. However, students can start their own clubs if they find a teacher willing to supervise. This not only fills the gaps but also allows for more unique and niche groups.

Another difference is technology. While other schools use Chromebooks running a full version of Windows, Del Lago gives students iPads. I once tried one of the other schools’ computers, and it was painful. They’re slow because the hardware is too old for Windows, and they have no fans, so using them on your lap can feel like you’re risking second-degree burns. I even tried running Cinebench to test performance, but it wouldn’t open at all. I’m genuinely glad I don’t have to use those every day.

Academically, Del Lago’s four-year pathway keeps every student on a STEM-heavy track: biology and biochemistry in freshman year, anatomy and design in sophomore year, medical interventions or physics in junior year, and AP courses plus an internship in senior year. Unlike most schools, which have you juggling six to eight classes all year, Del Lago runs just four classes per year. The upside is you can dive deeper into each subject without the mental scatter of juggling too many classes.

If this is your first or even second year at Del Lago, you should get familiar with the village model. Each grade has around 200 students, split into two villages. Each village has three cohorts, which are your class groups. You’ll have the same classmates in all your classes for that year. In sophomore year, the cohorts are shuffled within each village, and in junior year, the shuffle includes the entire grade, mixing students between villages. You might expect houses to be part of villages, but they’re not even related. Before each school year, each teacher is assigned a house color for their advisory, which changes annually. What stays the same is your advisory teacher, who you keep all four years. And yes, they call students “scholars.” Just remember: that’s a school-wide policy, not a personal compliment.

If you’re looking for a traditional high school experience, Del Lago might not be the best fit. But if you value academics, this school is a solid contender. Del Lago isn’t perfect, but it’s the first school where I’ve felt like learning isn’t just something you do to pass a test. Here, you’re actually building things, solving problems, and occasionally wondering how you ended up in yet another group project. And somehow, it works. If I had to go back in time and choose again, I think I would still pick Del Lago.

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