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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.8%
Math vs. State Avg+6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,631

Descanso Elementary — Students at Descanso Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.6%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 54.6%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
49.8%
ELA
56.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mountain Empire Unified
District Enrollment
1,871
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,531
District Rank
#1 of 7

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 methodology

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