Needs Improvement
#9266 of 9,539 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
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,266 of 9,539
In Imperial Beach
#6 of 6
public schools
In district
#11 of 12
South Bay Union
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Central Elementary
Elementary School in Imperial Beach · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Oneonta Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St James Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten
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 Imperial Beach, CA, part of South Bay Union. Central Elementary serves approximately 379 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #9,266 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Central Elementary runs 23.7:1 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Emory Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nestor Language Academy Charter (rated 5.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CHARLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby San Diego), 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 | 4.0 |
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Imperial Beach | 0.5 mi | — |
| Mar Vista Academy San Diego | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| SBUSD Virtual Academy Imperial Beach | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Imperial Beach Charter Imperial Beach | 0.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Emory Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Mar Vista Senior High Imperial Beach | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Teofilo Mendoza San Diego | 1.0 mi | 2.7 |
| Refugio de Amor Academy San Diego | 1.1 mi | — |
| Godfrey G. Berry Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| San Diego County Special Education Imperial Beach | 1.3 mi | — |
| Nestor Language Academy Charter San Diego | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Southwest Senior High San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Sunnyslope Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 3.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ararat Charter Van Nuys, CA | 3.1 |
| Belle Air Elementary San Bruno, CA | 3.1 |
| Belshaw Elementary Antioch, CA | 3.1 |
| D. H. White Elementary Rio Vista, CA | 3.1 |
| Dover Elementary San Pablo, CA | 3.1 |
| Esperanza Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.1 |
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 ranks #9,266 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% 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?
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 45.6%
- Phone
- (619) 628-5000
Resources & Links
District
South Bay Union- District Enrollment
- 5,595
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,202
- District Rank
- #11 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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