Excellent
#815 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 9% in state
Barbara Benson Elementary
Elementary School · Tustin Unified
300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tustin
#1 of 26
public schools
California elementary schools
#598 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 28
Tustin Unified
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Barbara Benson Elementary
Barbara Benson Elementary is a public elementary school in Tustin, CA, part of the Tustin Unified. The school serves approximately 324 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.5th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 44% proficiency in math, 5 points above the state average and 43% in reading/language arts, 3 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $98,647, where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Barbara Benson Elementary is 21.6:1, 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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Barbara Benson Elementary — Students at Barbara Benson Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.6/10.
How Barbara Benson Elementary Compares
See how Barbara Benson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.22% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47.66% (2024).
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. Red Hill Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), with a very similar rating. Another option is FAIRMONT PRIVATE SCHOOL, NORTH TUSTIN CAMPUS (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby North Tustin), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Tustin Memorial Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.8 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| EDGEWOOD PREPRIMARY ACADEMY Tustin | 0.8 mi | — |
| Tustin Memorial Elementary Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Columbus Tustin Middle Tustin | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Tustin Connect Tustin | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Hillview High (Continuation) Tustin | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Newport Avenue Preschool and Kindergarten Tustin | 1.0 mi | — |
| Foothill High Tustin | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| C. E. Utt Middle Tustin | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| RED HILL MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Tustin | 1.2 mi | — |
| Loma Vista Elementary Tustin | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barbara Benson Elementary has a median household income of $98,647. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $832,200, with a median rent of $2,211/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| A. G. Cook Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 8.4 |
| Arthur F. Corey Elementary Buena Park, CA | 8.4 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego, CA | 8.4 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.4 |
| Cleveland Elementary Santa Barbara, CA | 8.4 |
| El Camino Creek Elementary Carlsbad, CA | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #815 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Barbara Benson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Barbara Benson Elementary 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 Barbara Benson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barbara Benson Elementary has 44.0% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tustin). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (714) 730-7531
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tustin Unified- District Enrollment
- 21,600
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,477
- District Rank
- #1 of 28
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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