Skip to main content

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

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

School shortlistprofile + nearby

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

6.3/10

Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chavez Elementary

5.7/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cristo Rey San Diego High School

6.5/10

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).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • 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 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-22.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,828
Chronic Absenteeism38.9%

Balboa Elementary — Students at Balboa Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 32.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
53%
ELA
40%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
36%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
39%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
17.5%
ELA
20.9%
2024
Math
23.4%
ELA
32.3%

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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in CA
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.9%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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%

District

San Diego Unified
District Enrollment
95,492
Schools in District
175
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,828
District Rank
#111 of 174

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 rate

Related reading

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.