Very Good
#2689 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 28% in state
Grace Smith Elementary
Elementary School · Calipatria Unified
PO Box 1005, Niland, CA 92257
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,689 of 9,539
In district
#1 of 4
Calipatria Unified
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Grace Smith Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Grace Smith Elementary
Elementary School in Niland · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fremont Primary
7.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Calipatria High
7.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Grace Smith Elementary
Grace Smith Elementary is a public elementary school in Niland, CA, part of Calipatria Unified. Grace Smith Elementary serves approximately 64 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Grace Smith Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,689 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Grace Smith Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 5.7
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 64 students, Grace Smith Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Grace Smith Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
53% of students at Grace Smith 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
Grace Smith Elementary — Students at Grace Smith Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.
How Grace Smith Elementary Compares
See how Grace Smith Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 1005, Niland, CA 92257
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Grace Smith Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pine Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Holtville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mulberry Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Brawley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Myron D. Witter Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Brawley), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Niland, see our Niland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fremont Primary Calipatria | 7.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Calipatria High Calipatria | 7.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Bill E. Young Jr. Middle Calipatria | 7.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Mulberry Elementary Brawley | 14.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Westmorland Elementary Westmorland | 15.1 mi | 6.2 |
| WESTMORLAND BASIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Westmorland | 15.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Desert Valley High (Continuation) Brawley | 17.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Renaissance Brawley | 17.5 mi | — |
| J. W. Oakley Elementary Brawley | 17.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Phil D. Swing Elementary Brawley | 17.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Brawley Union High Brawley | 17.6 mi | 7.3 |
| BRAWLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Brawley | 17.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Brawley Christian Academy Brawley | 17.7 mi | — |
| Barbara Worth Junior High Brawley | 17.7 mi | 4.8 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Brawley | 18.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Miguel Hidalgo Elementary Brawley | 18.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Myron D. Witter Elementary Brawley | 18.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Magnolia Union Elementary Brawley | 18.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Pine Elementary Holtville | 25.0 mi | 9.5 |
| Vanguard Academy of Imperial Valley Imperial | 26.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92257 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$17,663
Median Home Value
$113,100
Median Rent
$765/mo
Population
2,185
College Educated
3.5%
Homeownership
51.1%
Poverty Rate
29.9%
Median Age
37
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY OF THE ARTS Redondo Beach, CA | 7.4 |
| Adelanto Virtual Academy Victorville, CA | 7.4 |
| CENTENNIAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Mateo, CA | 7.4 |
| Cordua Elementary Marysville, CA | 7.4 |
| FRONTIERS ACADEMY Costa Mesa, CA | 7.4 |
| KINDERHOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Diego, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Grace Smith Elementary
What grades does Grace Smith Elementary serve?
Grace Smith Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Grace Smith Elementary?
Grace Smith Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Grace Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Grace Smith Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Grace Smith Elementary rank in CA?
Grace Smith Elementary ranks #2,689 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Grace Smith Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Grace Smith Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Grace Smith Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Grace Smith Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Grace Smith Elementary a charter school?
No, Grace Smith Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Grace Smith Elementary a Title I school?
No, Grace Smith Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grace Smith Elementary?
96.9% of students at Grace Smith 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 64
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Imperial County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 53.1%
- Phone
- (760) 359-0636
Resources & Links
District
Calipatria Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,086
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,658
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.