Average
#4588 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 48% 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
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Centro
#9 of 21
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,841 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 12
El Centro Elementary
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Desert Garden Elementary
Desert Garden Elementary is a regular public school located in El Centro, California, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 371 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1, the school benefits from having 17 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning environment. Desert Garden Elementary is situated in a small city where community involvement plays a significant role in supporting students' educational experiences.
The academic performance at Desert Garden Elementary shows areas for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #5510 out of 9566 schools in California (placing it around the 42nd percentile). In reading/ELA, 42% of students are proficient or above, while only 27% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Desert Garden Elementary continues to focus on student development and growth.
Desert Garden Elementary is part of a close-knit community where parents and educators work together to provide the best possible education for their children.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Garden Elementary is 21.8:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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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 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.
How Desert Garden Elementary Compares
See how Desert Garden Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 25.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 42.72% (2024).
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 8.4/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is De Anza Magnet (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Booker T. Washington Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.7 |
| Desert Oasis High (Continuation) El Centro | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Phoenix Rising High El Centro | 0.5 mi | — |
| Mt. Signal Virtual Academy El Centro | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Central Union High El Centro | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilson Jr. High El Centro | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| De Anza Magnet El Centro | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Valley Academy El Centro | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| Kennedy Middle El Centro | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Imperial County Special Education El Centro | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Imperial County Juvenile Hall/Community El Centro | 1.7 mi | — |
| Imperial Pathways Charter El Centro | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Garden Elementary has a median household income of $55,890. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,100, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA | 6.4 |
| Academia Moderna Walnut Park, CA | 6.4 |
| Allen Avenue Elementary San Dimas, CA | 6.4 |
| Alta Elementary Reedley, CA | 6.4 |
| Anderson Elementary Compton, CA | 6.4 |
| Argonne Elementary San Francisco, CA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #4588 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Desert Garden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Garden Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Desert Garden Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Garden Elementary has 26.9% math proficiency and 41.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,607/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Centro). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 352-2051
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
El Centro Elementary- District Enrollment
- 5,182
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,901
- District Rank
- #4 of 12
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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