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Below Average

#7729 of 9,539 schools in CA

Central Elementary

Elementary School · National Elementary

933 E Ave., National City, CA 91950

Enrollment

508

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,729 of 9,539

In National City

#7 of 15

public schools

In district

#5 of 10

National Elementary

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Central Elementary

4.7/10

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

Integrity Charter

3.1/10

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

National City Middle

4.6/10

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

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary is a public elementary school in National City, CA, part of National Elementary. Central Elementary serves approximately 508 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,729 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.6
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Central Elementary runs 23.1:1 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.

46% of students at Central Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,721
Chronic Absenteeism45.9%

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 41.6% (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
50%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
56%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
48%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
16.7%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
26.6%
ELA
31.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
19th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.9%

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

933 E Ave., National City, CA 91950

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Balboa Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Toyon Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chavez Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.2 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 3.1
National City Middle National City 0.5 mi 4.6
John A. Otis Elementary National City 0.5 mi 4.6
Kimball National City 0.8 mi 4.8
Balboa Elementary San Diego 0.9 mi 6.3
Olivewood National City 1.0 mi 3.7
Rancho de la Nacion National City 1.0 mi 4.5
El Toyon Elementary National City 1.1 mi 5.8
Chavez Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 5.7
Las Palmas National City 1.1 mi 3.8
Sweetwater High National City 1.2 mi 5.0
San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City 1.3 mi 4.2
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 5.8
Baker Elementary San Diego 1.6 mi 4.9
Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy National City 1.4 mi
Palmer Way National City 1.5 mi 5.6
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Ana, CA 4.7
Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory San Jose, CA 4.7
Aspire University Charter Modesto, CA 4.7
Aurora Elementary Los Angeles, CA 4.7
Belle Haven Elementary Menlo Park, CA 4.7
Blackford Elementary San Jose, CA 4.7

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 ranks #7,729 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% 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?

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
57 Good Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.9%

District

National Elementary
District Enrollment
4,200
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,721
District Rank
#5 of 10

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