Average
#6321 of 9,533 schools in CA
Central Elementary
Elementary School · South Bay Union
1290 Ebony Ave., Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Imperial Beach
#4 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,773 of 5,817
In district
#8 of 12
South Bay Union
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the large suburban area of Imperial Beach, California. The school serves kindergarten through sixth grade and currently has an enrollment of 379 students with a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1. There are 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education at Central Elementary.
Academically, Central Elementary has room for improvement as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and state ranking of #8358 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 13th percentile. The school’s academic score is 2.1 out of 10, with only 22% of students proficient or above in English language arts/reading and 12% proficient or above in math. Central Elementary sits on Ebony Avenue in Imperial Beach, offering a supportive community setting for its students to grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Central Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 23.7:1, 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
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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.
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 16% (2019) to 11.11% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2024).
Location
1290 Ebony Ave., Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sunnyslope Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oneonta Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bayside STEAM Academy (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Imperial Beach, see our Imperial Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oneonta Elementary Imperial Beach | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Imperial Beach | 0.5 mi | — |
| Mar Vista Academy San Diego | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| St. Charles Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | — |
| ST CHARLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Diego | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Bayside STEAM Academy Imperial Beach | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| SBUSD Virtual Academy Imperial Beach | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Imperial Beach Charter Imperial Beach | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Emory Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Mar Vista Senior High Imperial Beach | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Teofilo Mendoza San Diego | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Refugio de Amor Academy San Diego | 1.1 mi | — |
| Godfrey G. Berry Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| San Diego County Special Education Imperial Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| Nestor Language Academy Charter San Diego | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Southwest Senior High San Diego | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Sunnyslope Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Accelerated Academics San Diego | 1.8 mi | — |
| Launch Virtual Academy San Diego | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91932 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,071
Median Home Value
$811,000
Median Rent
$1,914/mo
Population
25,897
College Educated
23.7%
Homeownership
30.7%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $79,071. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $811,000, with a median rent of $1,914/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo, CA | 5.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln Paramount, CA | 5.7 |
| Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower, CA | 5.7 |
| Alicia Cortez Elementary Chino, CA | 5.7 |
| Bracher Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 5.7 |
| CHILDREN'S DAY SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 5.7 |
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 379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 23.7:1. 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 #6321 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 11.7% math proficiency and 21.7% 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?
64.1% 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
- Elevated (1,180/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Imperial Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 628-5000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Bay Union- District Enrollment
- 5,595
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,202
- District Rank
- #8 of 12
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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