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Below Average

#7380 of 9,539 schools in CA

Central Elementary

Elementary School · Central Unified

2195 North Polk Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Enrollment

740

Student-Teacher

26.4:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,380 of 9,539

In Fresno

#154 of 175

public schools

In district

#18 of 23

Central Unified

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Central Elementary

4.9/10

Elementary School in Fresno · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fresno California Academy

Nearby

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

EL Capitan Middle

6.4/10

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

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Fresno, CA, part of Central Unified. Central Elementary serves approximately 740 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 26.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,380 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Central Elementary runs 26.4:1 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,205
Chronic Absenteeism25.4%

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 53.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 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
66%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
33.1%
ELA
45.6%
2024
Math
35.7%
ELA
48%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
23th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.4%

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

2195 North Polk Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hanh Phan Tilley Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lawless Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Madison Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fresno, see our Fresno schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Fresno California Academy Fresno 0.7 mi
El Capitan Middle Fresno 1.0 mi 6.4
McKinley Elementary Fresno 1.1 mi 5.2
Central East High Fresno 1.4 mi 5.9
John Steinbeck Elementary Fresno 1.6 mi 4.7
Central Unified Alternative/Opportunity Fresno 1.7 mi 5.0
Glacier Point Middle Fresno 2.0 mi 6.0
New Horizons Private School Fresno 1.9 mi
Teague Elementary Fresno 2.3 mi 5.0
Roosevelt Elementary Fresno 1.9 mi 2.6
Justin Garza High Fresno 2.2 mi 4.6
Harvest Elementary Fresno 2.3 mi 5.5
Hanh Phan Tilley Elementary Fresno 2.1 mi 7.3
Central Online Home Fresno 2.1 mi 4.4
Royal Beginnings Fresno 2.2 mi
Crescent View South II Fresno 3.0 mi 4.6
Madison Elementary Fresno 3.2 mi 6.4
Lawless Elementary Fresno 3.3 mi 7.2
Dewolf Continuation High Fresno 3.1 mi 6.8
Addams Elementary Fresno 3.0 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93722 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,335

Median Home Value

$350,700

Median Rent

$1,529/mo

Population

84,500

College Educated

23.2%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

32.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt, CA 4.9
Anderson Elementary Garden Grove, CA 4.9
Andrew Jackson Elementary Santa Ana, CA 4.9
Avenal Elementary Avenal, CA 4.9
Bobbie Smith Elementary Long Beach, CA 4.9
Corona Ranch Elementary Corona, CA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary

What grades does Central Elementary serve?

Central Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Central Elementary?

Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 740 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 26.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary rank in CA?

Central Elementary ranks #7,380 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Central Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Central Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Central Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

78.5% of students at Central 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
7 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Fresno County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.4%

District

Central Unified
District Enrollment
15,956
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,205
District Rank
#18 of 23

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