Average
#7000 of 9,539 schools in CA
Central Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
3878 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,000 of 9,539
In San Diego
#225 of 288
public schools
In district
#143 of 174
San Diego Unified
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Central Elementary
Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Wilson Middle
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Health Sciences High and Middle College
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Central Elementary serves approximately 494 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #7,000 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Central Elementary runs 20.6:1 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.
51% 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 32 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
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. Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Normal Heights Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, San Diego Global Vision Academy (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.6 |
| Health Sciences High and Middle College San Diego | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Cherokee Point Elementary San Diego | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Edison Elementary San Diego | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Normal Heights Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Franklin Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Adams Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| San Diego Global Vision Academy San Diego | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| ST DIDACUS SCHOOL San Diego | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Hoover High San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Joyner Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Clark Middle San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Children's Creative and Performing Arts Academy San Diego | 1.0 mi | — |
| Euclid Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| McKinley Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.7 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Hamilton Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Ibarra Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Jefferson Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced, CA | 5.2 |
| Alta Loma Elementary Alta Loma, CA | 5.2 |
| Anna Yates Elementary Emeryville, CA | 5.2 |
| Bassett Street Elementary Lake Balboa, CA | 5.2 |
| Beamer Elementary Woodland, CA | 5.2 |
| Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary Tustin, CA | 5.2 |
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 ranks #7,000 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% 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?
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.0%
- Phone
- (619) 344-6100
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #143 of 174
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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