A Southwest High School senior achieved a perfect score on the 2015 AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, one of only 55 students worldwide to do so.

[3] After exiting the English Learner program, the student went to college prep courses and took multiple AP classes.

The varsity team in 2005 concluded their season by winning the County Academic League title beating La Jolla High School 124–53 making it the highest score in San Diego County Academic League championship history.

For their accomplishments in League and Decathlon the San Diego County School Board declared in 2005 that June 17 would be known as Southwest High Academics Day.

The JV Academic League held 8 consecutive Metro championship titles from 2001–2008 and have won their division for 10 years in a row from 2001-2010 (also an 11th win back in 1999).