Average
#5618 of 9,533 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
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#193 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,388 of 5,817
In district
#123 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Balboa Elementary
Balboa Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the heart of San Diego, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Balboa Elementary welcomes 453 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, ensuring a reasonable amount of individual attention for each child. The dedicated team of 22 full-time equivalent teachers works diligently to support the diverse learning needs of their young scholars.
According to MySchoolScout's ratings, Balboa Elementary has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks at the 32nd percentile among California schools with a state ranking of #6555. Academically, the school scores a 4.1 out of 10, indicating there is room for improvement in test performance. Specifically, in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 32% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 26% meet proficiency standards.
Balboa Elementary stands as an integral part of the San Diego community, fostering a nurturing environment where young minds can grow and thrive amidst the bustling city life.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Balboa Elementary is 20.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Balboa Elementary — Students at Balboa Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
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 10 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: 5.1/10.
How Balboa Elementary Compares
See how Balboa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 22.99% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32.2% (2024).
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 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rancho de la Nacion (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby National City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Baker Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 5.6 |
| 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 | 3.7 |
| Baker Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Central Elementary National City | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Mountain View San Diego | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| National City Middle National City | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Porter Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Rodriguez Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| John A. Otis Elementary National City | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Kimball National City | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Lincoln High San Diego | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Balboa Elementary has a median household income of $59,177. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $559,100, with a median rent of $1,608/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 6.0 |
| Aliso Elementary Carpinteria, CA | 6.0 |
| Almond Grove Elementary Oakley, CA | 6.0 |
| Ambassador School-Global Education Los Angeles, CA | 6.0 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary Alameda, CA | 6.0 |
| Amesti Elementary Watsonville, CA | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #5618 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Balboa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Balboa Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Balboa Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Balboa Elementary has 26.3% math proficiency and 32.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 362-4100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #123 of 174
Other Schools in This District
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
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