Average
#4915 of 9,539 schools in CA
Descanso Elementary
Elementary School · Mountain Empire Unified
24842 Viejas Blvd., Descanso, CA 91916
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,915 of 9,539
In district
#1 of 7
Mountain Empire Unified
Equity
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Descanso Elementary
Elementary School in Descanso · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jcs - Pine Valley
5.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sunrise High (continuation)
5.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Descanso Elementary
Descanso Elementary is a public elementary school in Descanso, CA, part of Mountain Empire Unified. Descanso Elementary serves approximately 214 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Descanso Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,915 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Descanso Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 4.3
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Descanso Elementary runs 23.8:1 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.
Descanso Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 36 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: 5.6/10.
How Descanso Elementary Compares
See how Descanso Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 7.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blossom Valley Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby El Cajon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Heights Charter (rated 6.5/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Alpine), with a very similar 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 | 7.5 |
| Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley | 5.7 mi | — |
| Hillside Junior/Senior High Pine Valley | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| The Heights Charter Alpine | 8.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Alpine Farm Academy Alpine | 9.5 mi | — |
| Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine | 9.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Boulder Oaks Elementary Alpine | 9.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Mountain Empire High Pine Valley | 11.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley | 11.1 mi | 2.8 |
| Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine | 11.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine | 11.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Shadow Hills Elementary Alpine | 11.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Los Coches Creek Middle El Cajon | 11.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Julian High Julian | 15.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Julian Charter Julian | 15.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy Palm Springs | 15.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Julian Elementary Julian | 15.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Julian Junior High Julian | 15.2 mi | 6.2 |
| HIGHLEVEL LLC San Diego | 15.1 mi | — |
| Blossom Valley Elementary El Cajon | 13.5 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANTHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salinas, CA | 6.3 |
| Arcata Elementary Arcata, CA | 6.3 |
| C. C. Violette Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 6.3 |
| COASTLINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goleta, CA | 6.3 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pacific Palisades, CA | 6.3 |
| Central Elementary Lemoore, CA | 6.3 |
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 ranks #4,915 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Descanso Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Descanso Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Descanso Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Descanso Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.4%
- Phone
- (619) 445-2126
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
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