Excellent
#499 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 5% in state
Innovations Academy
Elementary School · Innovations Academy District
5454 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#16 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#372 of 5,817
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Innovations Academy
Innovations Academy serves 434 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in San Diego's 92123 zip code area. This charter elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7 to 1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a manageable classroom environment for personalized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks in the 85th percentile statewide at #1447 out of 9566 California schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 61% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance stands at 45% proficient or above, indicating an area with room for continued growth and development. Located on Ruffin Road, Innovations Academy sits within an established San Diego community where families value education highly.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a well-educated population, with 47% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $111,282. The area's median home value of $737,000 speaks to the community's stability and investment in quality schools. As a charter school operating within San Diego's large urban setting, Innovations Academy offers families an alternative educational approach while serving students in a financially stable community with strong educational values.
What's said publicly about Innovations Academy
Synthesized from public, attributable sources (school website + Wayback Machine). Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Innovations Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Innovations Academy — Students at Innovations Academy score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Innovations Academy Compares
See how Innovations Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 45.05% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 61.09% (2024).
Location
5454 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Innovations Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wegeforth Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Tierrasanta Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Miller Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego Mission Academy San Diego | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Heritage Christian School of San Diego San Diego | 0.5 mi | — |
| Vista Grande Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Canyon Hills High San Diego | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Miller Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Kreuger Academy San Diego | 1.8 mi | — |
| Farb Middle San Diego | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Wegeforth Elementary San Diego | 2.1 mi | 8.8 |
| St. Columba Catholic School San Diego | 2.1 mi | — |
| Tierrasanta Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| ST COLUMBA SCHOOL San Diego | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| SOILLE SAN DIEGO HEBREW BAY SCHOOL San Diego | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Soille San Diego Hebrew Day San Diego | 2.1 mi | — |
| Le Lycée Français de San Diego San Diego | 2.1 mi | — |
| LE LYCEE FRANCAIS DE SAN DIEGO San Diego | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Taft Middle San Diego | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Cubberley Elementary San Diego | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Hancock Elementary San Diego | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Angier Elementary San Diego | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| School for Entrepreneurship and Technology San Diego | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92123 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$121,856
Median Home Value
$799,600
Median Rent
$2,798/mo
Population
32,999
College Educated
47.6%
Homeownership
43.9%
Avg Commute
20.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Innovations Academy has a median household income of $121,856. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $799,600, with a median rent of $2,798/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Apperson Street Elementary Sunland, CA | 8.6 |
| Arroyo San Carlos, CA | 8.6 |
| Aveson School of Leaders Altadena, CA | 8.6 |
| Burbank Boulevard Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 8.6 |
| Calabash Charter Academy Woodland Hills, CA | 8.6 |
| Cleveland Elementary Lakewood, CA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Innovations Academy
What grades does Innovations Academy serve?
Innovations Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Innovations Academy?
Innovations Academy has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Innovations Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Innovations Academy is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Innovations Academy rank in CA?
Innovations Academy is ranked #499 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Innovations Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Innovations Academy has a composite rating of 8.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Innovations Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Innovations Academy has 45.1% math proficiency and 58.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Innovations Academy a charter school?
Yes, Innovations Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Innovations Academy a Title I school?
No, Innovations Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Innovations Academy?
29.7% of students at Innovations Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 434
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (858) 271-1414
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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