Average
#6657 of 9,533 schools in CA
Central Elementary
Elementary School · National Elementary
933 E Ave., National City, CA 91950
Enrollment
508
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
508
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In National City
#5 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,949 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 10
National Elementary
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in National City, California, within San Diego County. Situated at 933 E Ave., the school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and currently enrolls 508 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 23.1:1, Central Elementary has 22 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse population.
The academic performance at Central Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of 6850 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 28th percentile statewide. Students perform slightly above average in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, with 34% achieving proficiency or higher, while 27% are proficient or above in math. Central Elementary is set in a large suburban area of National City, providing a community-oriented environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 23.1:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 25.78% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 31.32% (2024).
Location
933 E Ave., National City, CA 91950
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rancho de la Nacion (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Baker Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Balboa Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in National City, see our National City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Integrity Charter National City | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| National City Middle National City | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| John A. Otis Elementary National City | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Kimball National City | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Balboa Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Olivewood National City | 1.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| El Toyon Elementary National City | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Chavez Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Las Palmas National City | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Sweetwater High National City | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| CRISTO REY SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL San Diego | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Cristo Rey San Diego High School San Diego | 1.4 mi | — |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Baker Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy National City | 1.4 mi | — |
| Palmer Way National City | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Mt. Erie Christian Academy San Diego | 1.7 mi | — |
| MT ERIE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91950 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,858
Median Home Value
$580,700
Median Rent
$1,600/mo
Population
57,173
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
35.2%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $63,858. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $580,700, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| A. H. Morgan Elementary Rialto, CA | 5.5 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Colton, CA | 5.5 |
| Big Springs Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 5.5 |
| Bixby Elementary Long Beach, CA | 5.5 |
| Blackford Elementary San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| Blanche Sprentz Elementary Folsom, CA | 5.5 |
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 508 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 23.1:1. 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 #6657 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 27.5% math proficiency and 33.8% 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?
83.3% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,651/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (National City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 508
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 336-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
National Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,200
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,721
- District Rank
- #3 of 10
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- 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
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.