Below Average
#7955 of 9,533 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
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#243 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,724 of 5,817
In district
#152 of 174
San Diego Unified
About Fay Elementary
Fay Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the heart of San Diego, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Fay Elementary has an enrollment of 490 pupils and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.3:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's location within a large city provides a vibrant urban setting for learning and community engagement.
Fay Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive educational environment, although its current academic performance indicates room for improvement. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranking in the 13th percentile among California schools, the school is working diligently to enhance student achievement. In state assessments, only 22% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math.
Despite these challenges, Fay Elementary offers a nurturing atmosphere where educators strive to support each child's development and growth. The school's setting in San Diego allows for diverse cultural experiences and connections within the larger community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Fay Elementary is 23.3:1, 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Fay Elementary — Students at Fay Elementary score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 3.9/10.
How Fay Elementary Compares
See how Fay Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 19.66% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 20% (2024).
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. Euclid Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST KATHARINE DREXEL ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oak Park Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 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 | 5.2 |
| Ibarra Elementary San Diego | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Diego Hills Central Public Charter San Diego | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Mann Middle San Diego | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Crawford High San Diego | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Marshall Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| The Waldorf School of San Diego San Diego | 0.6 mi | — |
| Euclid Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Iftin Charter San Diego | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| St. Katharine Drexel Academy San Diego | 0.8 mi | — |
| ST KATHARINE DREXEL ACADEMY San Diego | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Hoover High San Diego | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Masons best San Diego | 1.0 mi | — |
| Carver Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Darnall Charter San Diego | 1.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Oak Park Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Clark Middle San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| NATIVITY PREP ACADEMY San Diego | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Franklin Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fay Elementary has a median household income of $65,174. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $593,800, with a median rent of $1,687/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Almond Elementary Fontana, CA | 4.8 |
| Avalon Elementary Perris, CA | 4.8 |
| Baldwin Academy La Puente, CA | 4.8 |
| Banyan Elementary Alta Loma, CA | 4.8 |
| Beamer Elementary Woodland, CA | 4.8 |
| Bryant Elementary Riverside, CA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #7955 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Fay Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Fay Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Fay Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fay Elementary has 21.7% math proficiency and 21.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 624-2600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #152 of 174
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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