Excellent
#1106 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 12% in state
Carlton Hills Elementary
Elementary School · Santee
9353 Pike Rd., Santee, CA 92071
Enrollment
576
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
576
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santee
#1 of 11
public schools
California elementary schools
#799 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 9
Santee
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Carlton Hills Elementary
Carlton Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Santee, CA, part of the Santee. The school serves approximately 576 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.4th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 61% in reading/language arts, 15 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $105,603, where 33% 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 Carlton Hills Elementary is 21.3:1, 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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Carlton Hills Elementary — Students at Carlton Hills Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 9.1/10.
How Carlton Hills Elementary Compares
See how Carlton Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 56.01% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 62.17% (2024).
Location
9353 Pike Rd., Santee, CA 92071
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carlton Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sycamore Canyon Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hill Creek Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Gage Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santee, see our Santee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Seco Elementary Santee | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue Santee | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Horizons in Education Santee | 1.0 mi | — |
| Sycamore Canyon Elementary Santee | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Carlton Oaks Elementary Santee | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| West Hills High Santee | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Chet F. Harritt Elementary Santee | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Santana High Santee | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Santee Alternative Santee | 1.8 mi | — |
| Cajon Park Elementary Santee | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Santee Success Program Santee | 1.8 mi | — |
| Grossmont Middle College High El Cajon | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Chaparral High El Cajon | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| MERIT Academy La Mesa | 2.3 mi | 3.7 |
| IDEA Center El Cajon | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Hill Creek Elementary Santee | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Flying Hills School of Arts El Cajon | 2.6 mi | 3.3 |
| OUR LADY OF GRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Gage Elementary San Diego | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Fletcher Hills Elementary La Mesa | 3.2 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$105,603
Median Home Value
$654,800
Median Rent
$2,202/mo
Population
59,739
College Educated
33.1%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carlton Hills Elementary has a median household income of $105,603. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $654,800, with a median rent of $2,202/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Alta California Elementary Panorama City, CA | 8.2 |
| Alta Loma Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.2 |
| Andres and Maria Cardenas Elementary Van Nuys, CA | 8.2 |
| Arbolita Elementary La Habra, CA | 8.2 |
| Bellingham Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 8.2 |
| Berlyn Elementary Ontario, CA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carlton Hills Elementary
What grades does Carlton Hills Elementary serve?
Carlton Hills Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Carlton Hills Elementary?
Carlton Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 576 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlton Hills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Carlton Hills Elementary is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carlton Hills Elementary rank in CA?
Carlton Hills Elementary is ranked #1106 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Carlton Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlton Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Carlton Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlton Hills Elementary has 55.0% math proficiency and 60.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carlton Hills Elementary a charter school?
No, Carlton Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carlton Hills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Carlton Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlton Hills Elementary?
36.5% of students at Carlton Hills 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 (Santee). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 576
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 258-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santee- District Enrollment
- 6,159
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,555
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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