Who We Are

National School District (NSD) is a hidden gem located just five miles from downtown San Diego, between the I-5 and I-805 freeways. We serve the City of National City 91950, as well as some areas of San Diego proper. Home to approximately 4,000 students, from preschool through sixth grade, National School District has ten exceptional elementary school sites and a preschool center that partners with SDCOE to provide services for birth to three year-olds. National School District has earned the distinction of being the first elementary-only heart safe district in the nation, has been recognized as a California Green Ribbon School District-Silver Level Honoree, and all schools in National School District have been awarded Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) recognition from the state of California.

What We Offer

National School District is proud of the many fine educational programs we have to offer our community.

• Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK)
• Outdoor Learning Gardens 
• Robotics
• Animation
• Before and after-school programs 
• Sixth Grade Camp & More

Our History

National School District was formed 150 years ago, in 1871, and is the second oldest school district in San Diego County. It was first called the National Ranch School District because it was located in an area called Rancho de la Nación; predating the incorporation of National City. The City of National City officially incorporated 16 years later in 1887. In 1889, National School District opened the first free Kindergarten program in California. National School District is a coastal city and has had a long history of teaching students about conservation and protecting the environment around them. We remain committed to that responsibility to this day.