Below Average
#8810 of 9,533 schools in CA
Foster Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
6550 51st St., San Diego, CA 92120
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#270 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,272 of 5,817
In district
#167 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Foster Elementary
Foster Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in San Diego, California. Spanning kindergarten through fifth grade, the school serves 502 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1. Foster Elementary has 24 full-time equivalent teachers and is situated within the bustling city limits.
The academic performance at Foster Elementary shows room for growth, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of 36th percentile among California schools. The school's proficiency rates are around 35% for both ELA/reading and math, indicating areas where additional focus could enhance student achievement. Despite the current academic standing, Foster Elementary offers a supportive community environment that encourages learning and development.
The setting in San Diego provides students with a dynamic urban backdrop, rich with cultural activities and resources.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Foster Elementary is 20.9:1, 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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Foster Elementary — Students at Foster Elementary score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53%
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: 2.0/10.
How Foster Elementary Compares
See how Foster Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 31.28% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 31.1% (2024).
Location
6550 51st St., San Diego, CA 92120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foster Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Miller Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marvin Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dailard Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Science Academy San Diego San Diego | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Grace Christian Schools-Mission Valley Christian Fellowship San Diego | 0.2 mi | — |
| Lewis Middle San Diego | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Bright Horizon Academy San Diego | 0.7 mi | — |
| SAM & ROSE STEIN EDUCATION CENTER San Diego | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Sam and Rose Stein Education Center San Diego | 0.8 mi | — |
| Marvin Elementary San Diego | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| ST THERESE ACADEMY San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Hardy Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Hearst Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| NAZARETH SCHOOL, SAN DIEGO San Diego | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Nazareth School of San Diego San Diego | 1.5 mi | — |
| Hancock Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Kreuger Academy San Diego | 2.0 mi | — |
| Farb Middle San Diego | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Language Academy San Diego | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Miller Elementary San Diego | 2.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Dailard Elementary San Diego | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Henry High San Diego | 2.0 mi | 8.3 |
| St. Katharine Drexel Academy San Diego | 2.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$114,579
Median Home Value
$870,200
Median Rent
$2,416/mo
Population
31,797
College Educated
57.2%
Homeownership
64.3%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foster Elementary has a median household income of $114,579. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $870,200, with a median rent of $2,416/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville, CA | 4.1 |
| Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy Oakland, CA | 4.1 |
| Aynesworth Elementary Fresno, CA | 4.1 |
| California Avenue Elementary Riverbank, CA | 4.1 |
| Castroville Elementary Castroville, CA | 4.1 |
| Chavez Elementary Long Beach, CA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Foster Elementary
What grades does Foster Elementary serve?
Foster Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Foster Elementary?
Foster Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foster Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Foster Elementary is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Foster Elementary rank in CA?
Foster Elementary is ranked #8810 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Foster Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Foster Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Foster Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foster Elementary has 34.4% math proficiency and 35.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Foster Elementary a charter school?
No, Foster Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Foster Elementary a Title I school?
No, Foster Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foster Elementary?
53.0% of students at Foster 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
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 510-4100
- 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
- #167 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
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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