Average
#7654 of 9,533 schools in CA
Hawthorne Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
4750 Lehrer Dr., San Diego, CA 92117
Enrollment
256
Student-Teacher
25.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
256
Student-Teacher
25.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#236 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,542 of 5,817
In district
#148 of 174
San Diego Unified
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Hawthorne Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of San Diego, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, Hawthorne has an enrollment of 256 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.6:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 places it at the 60th percentile among California schools, reflecting solid academic performance though there is room for improvement.
In terms of standardized test scores, Hawthorne Elementary has 58% of its students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 54% proficient or above in Math. While these figures show areas where additional support could be beneficial, they also highlight the school's commitment to student development across various subjects. Hawthorne Elementary is situated in a large city setting, making it an integral part of the San Diego community.
The school’s location offers students easy access to diverse cultural and educational resources within the vibrant city environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Elementary is 25.6:1, 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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Hawthorne Elementary — Students at Hawthorne Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.2%
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: 2.7/10.
How Hawthorne Elementary Compares
See how Hawthorne Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 50.49% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 55.34% (2024).
Location
4750 Lehrer Dr., San Diego, CA 92117
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hawthorne Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sequoia Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Field Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whitman Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Choice Academy Santee | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Creative Performing and Media Arts San Diego | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Field Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Japanese Academy of San Diego San Diego | 0.9 mi | — |
| Fusion Academy San Diego | 0.9 mi | — |
| FUSION SAN DIEGO San Diego | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Sequoia Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 9.4 |
| Innovation Middle San Diego | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Whitman Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| John Muir Language Academy San Diego | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| JAPANESE ACADEMY OF SAN DIEGO San Diego | 1.2 mi | — |
| Madison High San Diego | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| COASTAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Mt. Everest Academy San Diego | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| REFORMATION LUTHERAN SCHOOL San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Reformation Lutheran Church and School San Diego | 1.3 mi | — |
| Curie Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Standley Middle San Diego | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Lafayette Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Maria Montessori School San Diego | 1.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$105,286
Median Home Value
$914,400
Median Rent
$2,115/mo
Population
52,645
College Educated
50.7%
Homeownership
57.2%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hawthorne Elementary has a median household income of $105,286. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $914,400, with a median rent of $2,115/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 5.0 |
| Beach Park Elementary Foster City, CA | 5.0 |
| Chester Elementary Chester, CA | 5.0 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Grass Valley, CA | 5.0 |
| Cordova Meadows Elementary Rancho Cordova, CA | 5.0 |
| Downtown Elementary Bakersfield, CA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hawthorne Elementary
What grades does Hawthorne Elementary serve?
Hawthorne Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Hawthorne Elementary?
Hawthorne Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 256 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Elementary is 25.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hawthorne Elementary rank in CA?
Hawthorne Elementary is ranked #7654 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Hawthorne Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hawthorne Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Hawthorne Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hawthorne Elementary has 53.9% math proficiency and 57.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hawthorne Elementary a charter school?
No, Hawthorne Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hawthorne Elementary a Title I school?
No, Hawthorne Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hawthorne Elementary?
60.2% of students at Hawthorne 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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 256
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (858) 634-5701
- 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
- #148 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
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- 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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