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Needs Improvement

#9378 of 9,539 schools in CA

Bancroft Elementary

Elementary School · La Mesa-Spring Valley

4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942

Enrollment

442

Student-Teacher

26:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,378 of 9,539

In La Mesa

#27 of 27

public schools

In district

#22 of 22

La Mesa-Spring Valley

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Bancroft Elementary

2.8/10

Elementary School in La Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Take Wing High School

Nearby

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

Mount Miguel High

4.8/10

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

About Bancroft Elementary

Bancroft Elementary is a public elementary school in La Mesa, CA, part of La Mesa-Spring Valley. Bancroft Elementary serves approximately 442 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 26:1 student-teacher ratio. Bancroft Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #9,378 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Bancroft Elementary show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Bancroft Elementary runs 26:1 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.

49% of students at Bancroft 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 Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.3 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802
Chronic Absenteeism49.1%

Bancroft Elementary — Students at Bancroft Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 28.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 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
51%
ELA
43%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
53%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
23%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
18%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
24%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
8.3%
ELA
19.7%
2024
Math
12.5%
ELA
21.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Bancroft Elementary Compares

See how Bancroft Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.8/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

Location

4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bancroft Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mt. Vernon Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sparrow Academy (rated 6.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Take wing high school Spring Valley 0.4 mi
Mount Miguel High Spring Valley 0.7 mi 4.8
Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center Lemon Grove 0.8 mi 7.2
Mt. Vernon Elementary Lemon Grove 0.8 mi 6.8
Avondale Elementary La Mesa 1.0 mi 4.9
Sci Tech Engr Arts and Math Acad at La Presa Spring Valley 1.2 mi 6.6
Kempton Street Literacy Academy La Mesa 1.3 mi 4.1
FRED FINCH YOUTH CENTER NONPUBLIC SCHOOL Spring Valley 1.4 mi
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spring Valley 1.4 mi 4.4
Heartland Christian Homeschool Center, Inc. Spring Valley 1.4 mi
St. John of the Cross School Lemon Grove 1.4 mi
Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities Lemon Grove 1.4 mi 5.0
Lemon Grove Academy Elementary Lemon Grove 1.5 mi 5.0
Rancho Elementary La Mesa 1.8 mi 3.0
Monterey Heights Elementary Lemon Grove 1.6 mi 4.2
Bottles to Books Primary School Spring Valley 1.6 mi
The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa 1.9 mi 6.8
La Presa Elementary Spring Valley 1.8 mi 5.9
Sparrow Academy La Mesa 1.9 mi 6.8
Santa Sophia Academy Spring Valley 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91942 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,262

Median Home Value

$689,300

Median Rent

$1,934/mo

Population

40,920

College Educated

38.2%

Homeownership

44%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aspire Junior Collegiate Academy Oakland, CA 2.8
Beulah Payne P-8 STEAM Academy Inglewood, CA 2.8
Blosser Lane Elementary Willits, CA 2.8
Coarsegold Elementary Coarsegold, CA 2.8
EnCompass Academy Elementary Oakland, CA 2.8
Hoover Elementary Oakland, CA 2.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bancroft Elementary

What grades does Bancroft Elementary serve?

Bancroft Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Bancroft Elementary?

Bancroft Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 442 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bancroft Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bancroft Elementary is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bancroft Elementary rank in CA?

Bancroft Elementary ranks #9,378 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Bancroft Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bancroft Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Bancroft Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bancroft Elementary has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Bancroft Elementary a charter school?

No, Bancroft Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bancroft Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bancroft Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bancroft Elementary?

89.1% of students at Bancroft 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
19 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
442
Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

District

La Mesa-Spring Valley
District Enrollment
10,684
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,802
District Rank
#22 of 22

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