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Below Average

#8485 of 9,539 schools in CA

Fay Elementary

Elementary School · San Diego Unified

4080 52nd St., San Diego, CA 92105

Enrollment

490

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,485 of 9,539

In San Diego

#264 of 288

public schools

In district

#163 of 174

San Diego Unified

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Fay Elementary

4.1/10

Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

City Heights Preparatory Charter

5.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ibarra Elementary

6.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fay Elementary

Fay Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Fay Elementary serves approximately 490 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Fay Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #8,485 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Fay Elementary show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Fay Elementary runs 23.3:1 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.

39% of students at Fay 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 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-26 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,828
Chronic Absenteeism39.4%

Fay Elementary — Students at Fay Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
43%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
8.6%
ELA
23.6%
2024
Math
19.4%
ELA
20%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Fay Elementary Compares

See how Fay Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
11th percentile in CA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.2/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.4%

Location

4080 52nd St., San Diego, CA 92105

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fay Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oak Park Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marshall Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST KATHARINE DREXEL ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
City Heights Preparatory Charter San Diego 0.3 mi 5.5
Ibarra Elementary San Diego 0.3 mi 6.6
Diego Hills Central Public Charter San Diego 0.4 mi 4.2
Mann Middle San Diego 0.5 mi 5.6
Crawford High San Diego 0.4 mi 6.2
Marshall Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi 7.5
The Waldorf School of San Diego San Diego 0.6 mi
Euclid Elementary San Diego 0.5 mi 5.3
Iftin Charter San Diego 0.6 mi 7.3
St. Katharine Drexel Academy San Diego 0.8 mi
ST KATHARINE DREXEL ACADEMY San Diego 0.8 mi 7.4
Rosa Parks Elementary San Diego 0.9 mi 4.3
Hoover High San Diego 0.9 mi 6.0
Masons best San Diego 1.0 mi
Carver Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 6.2
Darnall Charter San Diego 1.0 mi 4.2
Oak Park Elementary San Diego 1.3 mi 8.5
Clark Middle San Diego 1.2 mi 5.8
NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY San Diego 1.2 mi 6.6
Franklin Elementary San Diego 1.3 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92105 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,174

Median Home Value

$593,800

Median Rent

$1,687/mo

Population

71,284

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

32.3%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anderson (Alex) Elementary San Jose, CA 4.1
Aspire Summit Charter Academy Oakland, CA 4.1
Berylwood Elementary Simi Valley, CA 4.1
Casa de Oro Elementary La Mesa, CA 4.1
Charles Wright Elementary Merced, CA 4.1
Christine Sipherd Elementary Modesto, CA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fay Elementary

What grades does Fay Elementary serve?

Fay Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Fay Elementary?

Fay Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 490 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fay Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Fay Elementary is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fay Elementary rank in CA?

Fay Elementary ranks #8,485 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Fay Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fay Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Fay Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fay Elementary has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Fay Elementary a charter school?

No, Fay Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fay Elementary a Title I school?

No, Fay Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fay Elementary?

96.3% of students at Fay 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

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.4%

District

San Diego Unified
District Enrollment
95,492
Schools in District
175
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,828
District Rank
#163 of 174

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