Average
#4292 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 45% in state
Desert Garden Elementary
Elementary School · El Centro Elementary
1900 South Sixth St., EL Centro, CA 92243
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,292 of 9,539
In EL Centro
#9 of 21
public schools
In district
#7 of 12
El Centro Elementary
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Desert Garden Elementary
Elementary School in EL Centro · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Christian Home Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harding Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Garden Elementary
Desert Garden Elementary is a public elementary school in EL Centro, CA, part of El Centro Elementary. Desert Garden Elementary serves approximately 371 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Garden Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #4,292 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Garden Elementary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Desert Garden Elementary runs 21.8:1 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.
38% of students at Desert Garden 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
Desert Garden Elementary — Students at Desert Garden Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.
How Desert Garden Elementary Compares
See how Desert Garden Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1900 South Sixth St., EL Centro, CA 92243
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Garden Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harding Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, De Anza Magnet (rated 5.5/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in EL Centro, see our EL Centro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Home Academy El Centro | 0.4 mi | — |
| Harding Elementary El Centro | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Desert Oasis High (Continuation) El Centro | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Phoenix Rising High El Centro | 0.5 mi | — |
| Mt. Signal Virtual Academy El Centro | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Central Union High El Centro | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Wilson Jr. High El Centro | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| De Anza Magnet El Centro | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Valley Academy El Centro | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| ST MARY S SCHOOL El Centro | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| St. Marys School El Centro | 1.3 mi | — |
| Southwest High El Centro | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Kennedy Middle El Centro | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Imperial County Special Education El Centro | 1.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Imperial County Juvenile Hall/Community El Centro | 1.7 mi | — |
| Imperial Pathways Charter El Centro | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,890
Median Home Value
$286,100
Median Rent
$992/mo
Population
48,556
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
51.5%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Median Age
31.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANNELIESE SCHOOLS, INC. Laguna Beach, CA | 6.6 |
| Adams Elementary San Diego, CA | 6.6 |
| Aldama Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 6.6 |
| Allen Avenue Elementary San Dimas, CA | 6.6 |
| Altadena Elementary Altadena, CA | 6.6 |
| Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Garden Elementary
What grades does Desert Garden Elementary serve?
Desert Garden Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Garden Elementary?
Desert Garden Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Garden Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Garden Elementary is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Garden Elementary rank in CA?
Desert Garden Elementary ranks #4,292 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Desert Garden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Garden Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Desert Garden Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Garden Elementary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Desert Garden Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Garden Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Garden Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Garden Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Garden Elementary?
81.4% of students at Desert Garden 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Imperial County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.3%
- Phone
- (760) 352-2051
Resources & Links
District
El Centro Elementary- District Enrollment
- 5,182
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,901
- District Rank
- #7 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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