Average
#3573 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 38% in state
Descanso Elementary
Elementary School · Mountain Empire Unified
24842 Viejas Blvd., Descanso, CA 91916
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#2,320 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 7
Mountain Empire Unified
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Descanso Elementary
Descanso Elementary serves 214 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in the rural community of Descanso, California. With 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8 to 1, providing a close-knit learning environment where educators can develop meaningful relationships with their students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking in the 74th percentile among California elementary schools at #2524 out of 9566 statewide.
Students show steady achievement with 57% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 50% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics across all grade levels. Descanso Elementary draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $115,324 and the poverty rate remains exceptionally low at just 1.3%. The surrounding area reflects a tight-knit population of 1,833 residents, with median home values of $576,900 indicating an established neighborhood with strong property values.
Located on Viejas Boulevard in San Diego County's backcountry, Descanso Elementary offers students the unique advantage of small-town education in California's scenic rural landscape, where the pace of life allows for focused learning and strong community connections.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Descanso Elementary is 23.8:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Descanso Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Descanso Elementary — Students at Descanso Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.7%
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
↓ 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: 6.4/10.
How Descanso Elementary Compares
See how Descanso Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 51.69% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 56.78% (2024).
Location
24842 Viejas Blvd., Descanso, CA 91916
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Descanso Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shadow Hills Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. Another option is Julian Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Julian), with a very similar rating. Additionally, The Heights Charter (rated 6.1/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Alpine), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Descanso, see our Descanso schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley | 5.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley | 5.7 mi | — |
| Hillside Junior/Senior High Pine Valley | 5.7 mi | 4.5 |
| The Heights Charter Alpine | 8.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Alpine Farm Academy Alpine | 9.5 mi | — |
| Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine | 9.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Boulder Oaks Elementary Alpine | 9.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Mountain Empire High Pine Valley | 11.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley | 11.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine | 11.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine | 11.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Shadow Hills Elementary Alpine | 11.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Los Coches Creek Middle El Cajon | 11.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Julian High Julian | 15.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Julian Charter Julian | 15.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy Palm Springs | 15.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Julian Elementary Julian | 15.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Julian Junior High Julian | 15.2 mi | 6.2 |
| HIGHLEVEL LLC San Diego | 15.1 mi | — |
| Blossom Valley Elementary El Cajon | 13.5 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91916 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,833
Median Home Value
$615,700
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
1,757
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
73%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Median Age
49.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Descanso Elementary has a median household income of $110,833. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $615,700, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anne Darling Elementary San Jose, CA | 6.9 |
| BLUE OAK SCHOOL Napa, CA | 6.9 |
| Bridge Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 6.9 |
| CARDEN CONEJO SCHOOL Westlake Village, CA | 6.9 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Camarillo, CA | 6.9 |
| Clovis Global Academy Clovis, CA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Descanso Elementary
What grades does Descanso Elementary serve?
Descanso Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Descanso Elementary?
Descanso Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 214 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Descanso Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Descanso Elementary is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Descanso Elementary rank in CA?
Descanso Elementary is ranked #3573 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Descanso Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Descanso Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Descanso Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Descanso Elementary has 47.6% math proficiency and 54.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Descanso Elementary a charter school?
No, Descanso Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Descanso Elementary a Title I school?
No, Descanso Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Descanso Elementary?
47.7% of students at Descanso 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
- County Safety
- Low (114/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 214
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 445-2126
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mountain Empire Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,871
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,531
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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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