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Below Average

#8021 of 9,539 schools in CA

Barbara Benson Elementary

Elementary School · Tustin Unified

300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780

Enrollment

324

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,021 of 9,539

In Tustin

#20 of 26

public schools

In district

#22 of 28

Tustin Unified

Equity

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Barbara Benson Elementary

4.5/10

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

Fairmont Private Schools

Nearby

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

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7.5/10

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

About Barbara Benson Elementary

Barbara Benson Elementary is a public elementary school in Tustin, CA, part of Tustin Unified. Barbara Benson Elementary serves approximately 324 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Barbara Benson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,021 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Barbara Benson Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Barbara Benson Elementary runs 21.6:1 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.

36% of students at Barbara Benson 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.88 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,477
Chronic Absenteeism35.8%

Barbara Benson Elementary — Students at Barbara Benson Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 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
72%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
38.7%
ELA
45.1%
2024
Math
49.2%
ELA
47.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.

How Barbara Benson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barbara Benson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tustin Memorial Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), which scores notably higher. Another option is FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL, NORTH TUSTIN CAMPUS (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby North Tustin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GRACE HARBOR SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tustin, see our Tustin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Fairmont Private Schools Santa Ana 0.3 mi
FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL, NORTH TUSTIN CAMPUS North Tustin 0.3 mi 7.5
LEARNING CORNER North Tustin 0.4 mi
GRACE HARBOR SCHOOL Tustin 0.3 mi 6.7
Grace Global Vision Tustin 0.5 mi
Guin Foss Elementary Tustin 0.5 mi 4.9
FOOTHILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Ana 0.6 mi
RED HILL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tustin 0.7 mi 6.0
Red Hill Lutheran Tustin 0.7 mi
Red Hill Elementary Santa Ana 0.8 mi 6.0
EDGEWOOD PREPRIMARY ACADEMY Tustin 0.8 mi
Tustin Memorial Elementary Santa Ana 0.8 mi 7.7
Columbus Tustin Middle Tustin 0.9 mi 5.8
Tustin Connect Tustin 1.0 mi 8.1
Hillview High (Continuation) Tustin 1.1 mi 6.7
Newport Avenue Preschool and Kindergarten Tustin 1.0 mi
Foothill High Tustin 1.2 mi 7.9
C. E. Utt Middle Tustin 1.2 mi 4.5
RED HILL MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Tustin 1.2 mi
Loma Vista Elementary Tustin 1.1 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92780 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,647

Median Home Value

$832,200

Median Rent

$2,211/mo

Population

54,495

College Educated

35.5%

Homeownership

45.8%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

35.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA 4.5
Bandini Elementary City Of Commerce, CA 4.5
Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill, CA 4.5
Bertrand Avenue Elementary Reseda, CA 4.5
Burton Street Elementary Panorama City, CA 4.5
Charles H. Lee Elementary Azusa, CA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barbara Benson Elementary

What grades does Barbara Benson Elementary serve?

Barbara Benson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Barbara Benson Elementary?

Barbara Benson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 324 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barbara Benson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Barbara Benson Elementary is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barbara Benson Elementary rank in CA?

Barbara Benson Elementary ranks #8,021 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Barbara Benson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Barbara Benson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Barbara Benson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Barbara Benson Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Barbara Benson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Barbara Benson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Barbara Benson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

63.9% of students at Barbara Benson 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
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.8%

District

Tustin Unified
District Enrollment
21,600
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,477
District Rank
#22 of 28

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