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Needs Improvement

#9461 of 9,533 schools in CA

Howard Gardner Community Charter

Elementary School · Howard Gardner Community Charter District

647 E St., Chula Vista, CA 91910

Charter

Enrollment

180

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chula Vista

#62 of 62

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,762 of 5,817

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Howard Gardner Community Charter

Howard Gardner Community Charter is a charter school located in the heart of Chula Vista, California. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, this elementary school offers a unique educational environment with an enrollment of 180 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. With nine full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds, Howard Gardner provides a supportive setting for learning.

The academic performance at Howard Gardner Community Charter reflects areas where the school is focusing on improvement. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, it stands at 2.1 out of 10, ranking in the 2nd percentile among California schools. In terms of proficiency rates, only 12% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while a mere 5% achieve proficiency in math.

Despite these challenges, Howard Gardner Community Charter is committed to providing its students with a strong educational foundation tailored to their needs. The school’s setting within the bustling city of Chula Vista offers a vibrant community atmosphere where students can engage with diverse cultural experiences and local resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 180 students, Howard Gardner Community Charter is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Howard Gardner Community Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency1.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency8.2%
Math vs. State Avg-44.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.6 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-28.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,135

Howard Gardner Community Charter — Students at Howard Gardner Community Charter score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 4.8%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 11.9%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
1.6%
ELA
8.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.3/10.

How Howard Gardner Community Charter Compares

See how Howard Gardner Community Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.8/10
1th percentile in CA
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

647 E St., Chula Vista, CA 91910

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Howard Gardner Community Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vista Square Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kimball (rated 5.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby National City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rosebank Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chula Vista, see our Chula Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Feaster (Mae L.) Charter Chula Vista 0.1 mi 3.8
Hawking S.T.E.A.M. Charter Chula Vista 0.4 mi 5.4
Innovative online academy Chula Vista 0.6 mi
BEREAN BIBLE BAPTIST ACADEMY Chula Vista 0.6 mi 5.4
Berean Bible Baptist Academy Chula Vista 0.6 mi
Davila Day Chula Vista 0.6 mi
Vista Square Elementary Chula Vista 0.7 mi 6.2
SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chula Vista 0.7 mi 7.2
Chula Vista Middle Chula Vista 0.7 mi 4.8
Mueller Charter (Robert L.) Chula Vista 1.0 mi 6.2
Sweetwater High National City 1.3 mi 5.7
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.1 mi 4.9
Olivewood National City 1.5 mi 3.9
Rosebank Elementary Chula Vista 1.4 mi 5.3
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter Chula Vista 1.6 mi 7.6
Chula Vista Senior High Chula Vista 1.7 mi 7.3
Kimball National City 1.8 mi 5.4
John A. Otis Elementary National City 1.9 mi 4.1
National City Middle National City 1.9 mi 5.4
Rice (Lilian J.) Elementary Chula Vista 2.0 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,705

Median Home Value

$676,700

Median Rent

$1,930/mo

Population

77,957

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

50.6%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Howard Gardner Community Charter has a median household income of $87,705. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $676,700, with a median rent of $1,930/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Central Valley Home Kingsburg, CA 2.8
Cobb Mountain Elementary Middletown, CA 2.8
Terry Elementary Selma, CA 2.8
Clover Flat Elementary Boulevard, CA 2.7
Johnstonville Elementary Susanville, CA 3.0
Old Town Academy K-8 Charter San Diego, CA 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Howard Gardner Community Charter

What grades does Howard Gardner Community Charter serve?

Howard Gardner Community Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Howard Gardner Community Charter?

Howard Gardner Community Charter has an enrollment of approximately 180 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard Gardner Community Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Howard Gardner Community Charter is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Howard Gardner Community Charter rank in CA?

Howard Gardner Community Charter is ranked #9461 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Howard Gardner Community Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Howard Gardner Community Charter has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Howard Gardner Community Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard Gardner Community Charter has 4.8% math proficiency and 11.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Howard Gardner Community Charter a charter school?

Yes, Howard Gardner Community Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Howard Gardner Community Charter a Title I school?

No, Howard Gardner Community Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard Gardner Community Charter?

72.8% of students at Howard Gardner Community Charter qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,521/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chula Vista). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Howard Gardner Community Charter District
District Enrollment
180
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,678
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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