Very Good
#2938 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 31% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
3878 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#105 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,967 of 5,817
In district
#67 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a regular public elementary school in San Diego, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 494 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Central Elementary places it in the 36th percentile among California schools, reflecting room for improvement particularly in math and reading proficiency, where only 20% and 29% of students are proficient or above, respectively.
While the school's current academic standing suggests areas needing enhancement, its strong community presence is a key asset. Central Elementary is situated in a bustling urban setting within San Diego, offering students diverse experiences and resources typical of city life. The neighborhood around Central Elementary lacks specific data, but its location in such an active part of the city provides ample opportunities for cultural enrichment and engagement beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 20.6:1, 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
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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
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 23% (2019) to 18.98% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 29.06% (2024).
Location
3878 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. San Diego Global Vision Academy (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Normal Heights Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Middle San Diego | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Health Sciences High and Middle College San Diego | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Cherokee Point Elementary San Diego | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Edison Elementary San Diego | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Normal Heights Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Franklin Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Adams Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| San Diego Global Vision Academy San Diego | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| ST DIDACUS SCHOOL San Diego | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Hoover High San Diego | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Joyner Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Clark Middle San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Children's Creative and Performing Arts Academy San Diego | 1.0 mi | — |
| Euclid Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| McKinley Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Hamilton Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Ibarra Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Jefferson Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92105 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,174
Median Home Value
$593,800
Median Rent
$1,687/mo
Population
71,284
College Educated
21.4%
Homeownership
32.3%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
21.8%
Median Age
33.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $65,174. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $593,800, with a median rent of $1,687/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 7.2 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos, CA | 7.2 |
| Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA | 7.2 |
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA | 7.2 |
| Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 20.6:1. 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 #2938 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 19.9% math proficiency and 28.8% 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?
96.2% 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
- Walk Score
- 90 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 56 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 59 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 494
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 344-6100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #67 of 174
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
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