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Average

#7550 of 9,533 schools in CA

Central Elementary

Elementary School · Central Unified

2195 North Polk Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Enrollment

740

Student-Teacher

26.4:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fresno

#150 of 175

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,476 of 5,817

In district

#17 of 23

Central Unified

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade students in Fresno, California, with an enrollment of 740 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.4:1, with 28 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Central Elementary is working toward strengthening its performance across core subjects.

In English language arts, 49% of students score at proficient levels or above, while 38% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These results indicate room for academic growth, particularly in math where focused instructional support could help more students reach grade-level expectations. The school's academic score of 6.5/10 and state ranking at the 49th percentile suggest the school is at a transitional point, with opportunities to build on existing strengths and expand student achievement.

As a regular public school located in Fresno's large city environment, Central Elementary draws from the surrounding community and serves as a neighborhood resource for elementary-aged learners. The school's size and structure provide a foundation for serving diverse student populations within the city.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 26.4:1, 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9%
Math vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,156

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 38.2%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
35.7%
ELA
48%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

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. Madison Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lawless Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Addams Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 3.0 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 6.6
McKinley Elementary Fresno 1.1 mi 3.3
Central East High Fresno 1.4 mi 5.7
John Steinbeck Elementary Fresno 1.6 mi 5.6
Central Unified Alternative/Opportunity Fresno 1.7 mi 5.4
Glacier Point Middle Fresno 2.0 mi 6.3
New Horizons Private School Fresno 1.9 mi
Teague Elementary Fresno 2.3 mi 6.5
Roosevelt Elementary Fresno 1.9 mi 4.1
Justin Garza High Fresno 2.2 mi 4.5
Harvest Elementary Fresno 2.3 mi 4.8
Hanh Phan Tilley Elementary Fresno 2.1 mi 6.0
Central Online Home Fresno 2.1 mi 3.4
Royal Beginnings Fresno 2.2 mi
Crescent View South II Fresno 3.0 mi 6.1
Madison Elementary Fresno 3.2 mi 7.1
Lawless Elementary Fresno 3.3 mi 7.1
Dewolf Continuation High Fresno 3.1 mi 6.4
Addams Elementary Fresno 3.0 mi 6.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $77,335. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,700, with a median rent of $1,529/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Akira Yokomi Elementary Fresno, CA 5.0
Alisal Community Salinas, CA 5.0
Almond Acres Charter Academy Paso Robles, CA 5.0
Avenal Elementary Avenal, CA 5.0
Barranca Elementary Covina, CA 5.0
Buena Vista Elementary Lompoc, CA 5.0

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 is ranked #7550 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Central Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 38.2% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,045/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fresno). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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