Skip to main content

Excellent

#412 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 4% in state

Birney Elementary

Elementary School · San Diego Unified

4345 Campus Ave., San Diego, CA 92103

Enrollment

535

Student-Teacher

24.3:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#412 of 9,539

In San Diego

#22 of 288

public schools

In district

#11 of 174

San Diego Unified

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Birney Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Birney Elementary

8.9/10

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

Home & Hosp/transition Support

4.0/10

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

Aseltine School

Nearby

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

About Birney Elementary

Birney Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Birney Elementary serves approximately 535 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Birney Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #412 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Birney Elementary show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.9
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Birney Elementary runs 24.3:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.7 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+21.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,828
Chronic Absenteeism16.3%

Birney Elementary — Students at Birney Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 70.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
69%
ELA
69%
2019
Math
69%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
67.9%
ELA
76.8%
2024
Math
67.1%
ELA
75.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.

How Birney Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
96th percentile in CA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

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

4345 Campus Ave., San Diego, CA 92103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birney Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Garfield Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Florence Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Home & Hosp/Transition Support San Diego 0.1 mi 4.0
Aseltine School San Diego 0.3 mi
ASELTINE SCHOOL San Diego 0.3 mi
CHILDREN'S GROWING CENTER-FIRST UNITED METHODIST San Diego 0.8 mi
WARREN-WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL San Diego 0.9 mi 6.4
Urban Skills Center San Diego 0.9 mi
Garfield Elementary San Diego 0.8 mi 8.3
Cook Education Center San Diego 0.9 mi
URBAN SKILLS CENTER San Diego 0.9 mi
COOK EDUCATION CENTER San Diego 0.9 mi 7.3
ALBA San Diego 0.9 mi
ACES 2020 LLC DBA: ACES ACADEMY San Diego 1.0 mi
ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE San Diego 1.0 mi 5.5
Montessori Explorer San Diego 1.0 mi
Roosevelt International Middle San Diego 1.1 mi 7.3
COMMUNITY TRANSITION ACADEMY San Diego 1.0 mi
Jefferson Elementary San Diego 1.0 mi 8.8
Florence Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 5.9
ACES 2020 LLC, DBA: Aces Academy San Diego 1.1 mi
Children's Creative and Performing Arts Academy San Diego 1.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,887

Median Home Value

$986,800

Median Rent

$2,020/mo

Population

34,817

College Educated

63.3%

Homeownership

35.3%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Adams Elementary Costa Mesa, CA 8.9
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary Manhattan Beach, CA 8.9
Bella Vista Elementary Monterey Park, CA 8.9
Birney Elementary Redondo Beach, CA 8.9
Blue Hills Elementary Saratoga, CA 8.9
Carver (Charles J.) Elementary Cerritos, CA 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Birney Elementary

What grades does Birney Elementary serve?

Birney Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Birney Elementary?

Birney Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 535 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary is 24.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Birney Elementary rank in CA?

Birney Elementary ranks #412 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Birney Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Birney Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 Birney Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Birney Elementary has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Birney Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Birney Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

45.6% of students at Birney 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
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
76 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
535
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

District

San Diego Unified
District Enrollment
95,492
Schools in District
175
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,828
District Rank
#11 of 174

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.