Excellent
#1332 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 14% in state
Ben Hulse Elementary
Elementary School · Imperial Unified
303 South D St., Imperial, CA 92251
Enrollment
826
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
826
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Imperial
#1 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#952 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 6
Imperial Unified
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Ben Hulse Elementary
Ben Hulse Elementary serves 826 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Imperial, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.9:1 and 36 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned strong recognition, ranking in the 72nd percentile statewide at #2645 out of 9,566 California elementary schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. Academically, Ben Hulse Elementary demonstrates solid performance with 53% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 49% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 7.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement across all grade levels. The school serves families in Imperial County's 92251 zip code area, where the median household income is $90,632 and median home values reach $313,600. This community of approximately 27,050 residents has a poverty rate of 12.7%, with 18% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Ben Hulse Elementary is situated in Imperial's small suburban setting, providing students with a community-oriented educational environment that balances academic rigor with the close-knit feel characteristic of smaller California communities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Hulse Elementary is 22.9:1, 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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Ben Hulse Elementary — Students at Ben Hulse Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Ben Hulse Elementary Compares
See how Ben Hulse Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 48.49% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 53.15% (2024).
Location
303 South D St., Imperial, CA 92251
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ben Hulse Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences (rated 8.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Imperial Cross Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, McKinley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby El Centro), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Imperial, see our Imperial schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial High Imperial | 0.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Imperial Ave. Holbrook High Imperial | 0.5 mi | 3.6 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Imperial | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Frank M. Wright Middle Imperial | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Vanguard Academy of Imperial Valley Imperial | 1.1 mi | — |
| Valley Christian Heritage School Imperial | 1.6 mi | — |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SCHOOL Imperial | 1.6 mi | — |
| T. L. Waggoner Elementary Imperial | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Imperial Cross Elementary Imperial | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary El Centro | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| McKinley Elementary El Centro | 3.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Kennedy Middle El Centro | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary El Centro | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Sunflower Elementary El Centro | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Imperial Valley Home School Academy El Centro | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego | 3.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Calvary Chapel Christian School El Centro El Centro | 3.9 mi | — |
| Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro | 4.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Central Union High El Centro | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| ST MARY S SCHOOL El Centro | 4.1 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92251 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,709
Median Home Value
$350,100
Median Rent
$1,378/mo
Population
27,197
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
66.8%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
34
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ben Hulse Elementary has a median household income of $83,709. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,100, with a median rent of $1,378/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Adobe Bluffs Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
| Akers Elementary Lemoore, CA | 8.0 |
| Citrus Elementary Fontana, CA | 8.0 |
| Delaine Eastin Elementary Union City, CA | 8.0 |
| Dunsmore Elementary La Crescenta, CA | 8.0 |
| Ericson Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ben Hulse Elementary
What grades does Ben Hulse Elementary serve?
Ben Hulse Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Ben Hulse Elementary?
Ben Hulse Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 826 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Hulse Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Hulse Elementary is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ben Hulse Elementary rank in CA?
Ben Hulse Elementary is ranked #1332 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ben Hulse Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Hulse Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Ben Hulse Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben Hulse Elementary has 43.6% math proficiency and 51.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ben Hulse Elementary a charter school?
No, Ben Hulse Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ben Hulse Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ben Hulse Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben Hulse Elementary?
54.2% of students at Ben Hulse 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 (Imperial). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 826
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Imperial County
- Phone
- (760) 355-3210
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Imperial Unified- District Enrollment
- 4,672
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,658
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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