Average
#6481 of 9,539 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
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,481 of 9,539
In San Diego
#210 of 288
public schools
In district
#135 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Foster Elementary
Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grace Christian Schools-mission Valley Christian Fellowship
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Foster Elementary
Foster Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Foster Elementary serves approximately 502 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Foster Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #6,481 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Foster Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Foster Elementary runs 20.9:1 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.
34% of students at Foster 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
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 30 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: 5.0/10.
How Foster Elementary Compares
See how Foster 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
6550 51st St., San Diego, CA 92120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foster Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marvin Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dailard Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hearst Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Science Academy San Diego San Diego | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Grace Christian Schools-Mission Valley Christian Fellowship San Diego | 0.2 mi | — |
| Lewis Middle San Diego | 0.4 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 8.9 |
| ST THERESE ACADEMY San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Hardy Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Hearst Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Kreuger Academy San Diego | 2.0 mi | — |
| Farb Middle San Diego | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Language Academy San Diego | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Miller Elementary San Diego | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Dailard Elementary San Diego | 2.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Henry High San Diego | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Paramount, CA | 5.5 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Colton, CA | 5.5 |
| Almaden Elementary San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| Arthur E. Mills Intermediate Firebaugh, CA | 5.5 |
| Barstow Fine Arts Academy Barstow, CA | 5.5 |
| Bay Laurel Elementary Calabasas, CA | 5.5 |
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 ranks #6,481 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Foster Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Foster Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Foster Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Foster Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.7%
- Phone
- (619) 510-4100
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #135 of 174
Other Schools in This District
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