Average
#4953 of 9,539 schools in CA
Balboa Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
1844 South 40th St., San Diego, CA 92113
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,953 of 9,539
In San Diego
#172 of 288
public schools
In district
#111 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
7.3 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Balboa Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Balboa Elementary
Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chavez Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cristo Rey San Diego High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Balboa Elementary
Balboa Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Balboa Elementary serves approximately 453 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Balboa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,953 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Balboa Elementary show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Balboa Elementary runs 20.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
39% of students at Balboa Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Balboa Elementary — Students at Balboa Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.
How Balboa Elementary Compares
See how Balboa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1844 South 40th St., San Diego, CA 92113
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Balboa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain View (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Toyon Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby National City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Chavez Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chavez Elementary San Diego | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| CRISTO REY SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL San Diego | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Cristo Rey San Diego High School San Diego | 0.5 mi | — |
| Integrity Charter National City | 0.8 mi | 3.1 |
| Baker Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Central Elementary National City | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Mountain View San Diego | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| MT ERIE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Mt. Erie Christian Academy San Diego | 1.2 mi | — |
| El Toyon Elementary National City | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| National City Middle National City | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Porter Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Rodriguez Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| John A. Otis Elementary National City | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Kimball National City | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Lincoln High San Diego | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92113 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,177
Median Home Value
$559,100
Median Rent
$1,608/mo
Population
49,047
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
28.7%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
21.5%
Median Age
32
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA | 6.3 |
| Belvedere Elementary Highland, CA | 6.3 |
| Bonsall West Elementary Oceanside, CA | 6.3 |
| California Elementary La Puente, CA | 6.3 |
| Calwa Elementary Fresno, CA | 6.3 |
| Chula Vista Hills Elementary Chula Vista, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Balboa Elementary
What grades does Balboa Elementary serve?
Balboa Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Balboa Elementary?
Balboa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Balboa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Balboa Elementary is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Balboa Elementary rank in CA?
Balboa Elementary ranks #4,953 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Balboa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Balboa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Balboa Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Balboa Elementary has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Balboa Elementary a charter school?
No, Balboa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Balboa Elementary a Title I school?
No, Balboa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Balboa Elementary?
91.8% of students at Balboa Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 453
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.9%
- Phone
- (619) 362-4100
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #111 of 174
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.