Needs Improvement
#9327 of 9,533 schools in CA
Howard Pence Elementary
Elementary School · South Bay Union
877 Via Tonga Ct., San Diego, CA 92154
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#282 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,653 of 5,817
In district
#12 of 12
South Bay Union
About Howard Pence Elementary
Howard Pence Elementary is a regular public school in San Diego, California, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 462 students and a student-teacher ratio of 25.7:1, the school benefits from 18 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in the heart of a large city, Howard Pence Elementary is part of the San Diego County district.
The academic performance at Howard Pence Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #9337 out of 9566 schools in California (2nd percentile). The school's ELA/reading proficiency rate is 24%, while the math proficiency rate stands at 16%. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and strives to provide a nurturing environment for its young learners.
Howard Pence Elementary sits in an urban setting where it plays an integral role in supporting the local community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Howard Pence Elementary is 25.7:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Howard Pence Elementary — Students at Howard Pence Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.9/10.
How Howard Pence Elementary Compares
See how Howard Pence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 13.57% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 24.09% (2024).
Location
877 Via Tonga Ct., San Diego, CA 92154
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howard Pence Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sunnyslope Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is La Mirada Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Ysidro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George Nicoloff Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby San Ysidro), 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Middle San Diego | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Montgomery Senior High San Diego | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Silver Wing Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| George Nicoloff Elementary San Ysidro | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Los Altos Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Accelerated Academics San Diego | 0.8 mi | — |
| Finney (Myrtle S.) Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Southwest Middle San Diego | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Launch Virtual Academy San Diego | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Juarez-Lincoln Elementary San Diego | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Sunnyslope Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Otay Elementary Chula Vista | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Smythe Elementary San Ysidro | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Montgomery (John J.) Elementary Chula Vista | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| La Mirada Elementary San Ysidro | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| CWB Academy Chula Vista | 1.5 mi | — |
| Nestor Language Academy Charter San Diego | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Sunset Elementary San Ysidro | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Southwest Senior High San Diego | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92154 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,035
Median Home Value
$606,400
Median Rent
$2,143/mo
Population
82,832
College Educated
20.7%
Homeownership
60%
Avg Commute
28.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howard Pence Elementary has a median household income of $90,035. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $606,400, with a median rent of $2,143/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt, CA | 3.4 |
| Arlington Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA | 3.4 |
| Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 3.4 |
| Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy Oakland, CA | 3.4 |
| Aspire Richmond Technology Academy Oakland, CA | 3.4 |
| August Schilling Elementary Newark, CA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howard Pence Elementary
What grades does Howard Pence Elementary serve?
Howard Pence Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Howard Pence Elementary?
Howard Pence Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 462 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard Pence Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Howard Pence Elementary is 25.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howard Pence Elementary rank in CA?
Howard Pence Elementary is ranked #9327 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Howard Pence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard Pence Elementary has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Pence Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard Pence Elementary has 15.6% math proficiency and 23.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Howard Pence Elementary a charter school?
No, Howard Pence Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howard Pence Elementary a Title I school?
No, Howard Pence Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard Pence Elementary?
65.2% of students at Howard Pence 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
- 462
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 662-8100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Bay Union- District Enrollment
- 5,595
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,202
- District Rank
- #12 of 12
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
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.