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Excellent

#716 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 8% in state

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences

Elementary School · Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences District

3530 Camino Del Rio North Ste. 300, San Diego, CA 92108

Charter

Enrollment

251

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#22 of 288

public schools

California elementary schools

#527 of 5,817

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of the Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences District. The school serves approximately 251 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 92.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 28% proficiency in math, 11 points below the state average and 41% in reading/language arts, 4 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $101,704, where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a small city setting.

What Parents Should Know

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences 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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.5%
Math vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,801

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences — Students at Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.8%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 41.0%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
28%
ELA
42.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.

How Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences Compares

See how Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
93th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

3530 Camino Del Rio North Ste. 300, San Diego, CA 92108

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby El Centro), with a comparable rating. Another option is De Anza Magnet (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby El Centro), a more accessible option. Additionally, Desert Garden Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby El Centro), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro 0.3 mi 3.8
Wilson Jr. High El Centro 0.3 mi 6.3
Lincoln Elementary El Centro 0.4 mi 5.1
ST MARY S SCHOOL El Centro 0.4 mi 4.3
Central Union High El Centro 0.4 mi 6.7
St. Marys School El Centro 0.5 mi
Imperial Valley Home School Academy El Centro 0.7 mi 5.2
De Anza Magnet El Centro 0.9 mi 6.8
Sunflower Elementary El Centro 0.7 mi 6.2
Harding Elementary El Centro 0.8 mi 5.7
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary El Centro 1.0 mi 5.4
Christian Home Academy El Centro 1.1 mi
McKinley Elementary El Centro 1.1 mi 7.7
Kennedy Middle El Centro 1.1 mi 8.0
Southwest High El Centro 1.2 mi 7.4
Desert Garden Elementary El Centro 1.3 mi 6.4
Desert Oasis High (Continuation) El Centro 1.4 mi 5.2
Phoenix Rising High El Centro 1.4 mi
Calvary Chapel Christian School El Centro El Centro 1.4 mi
Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro 1.6 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92108 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,704

Median Home Value

$606,600

Median Rent

$2,731/mo

Population

24,401

College Educated

58.2%

Homeownership

28.8%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

33.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences has a median household income of $101,704. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $606,600, with a median rent of $2,731/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin, CA 8.4
Cayucos Elementary Cayucos, CA 8.4
Cesar Chavez Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.4
Cleveland Elementary Santa Barbara, CA 8.4
Friendly Hills Elementary Twentynine Palms, CA 8.4
Garden Valley Elementary Sacramento, CA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences

What grades does Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences serve?

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences?

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences has an enrollment of approximately 251 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences rank in CA?

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences is ranked #716 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences has 27.8% math proficiency and 41.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences a charter school?

Yes, Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences a Title I school?

No, Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences?

74.1% of students at Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences 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
82 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
251
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Imperial County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences District
District Enrollment
251
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,361
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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