Needs Improvement
#9209 of 9,539 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
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,209 of 9,539
In San Diego
#280 of 288
public schools
In district
#10 of 12
South Bay Union
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Howard Pence Elementary
Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Montgomery Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Montgomery Senior High
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Howard Pence Elementary
Howard Pence Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of South Bay Union. Howard Pence Elementary serves approximately 462 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 25.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Howard Pence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #9,209 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Howard Pence Elementary show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Howard Pence Elementary runs 25.7:1 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.
40% of students at Howard Pence 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
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 36 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
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. Silver Wing Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Juarez-Lincoln Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Montgomery (John J.) Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Chula Vista), 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 | 5.0 |
| Montgomery Senior High San Diego | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Silver Wing Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| George Nicoloff Elementary San Ysidro | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Los Altos Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Accelerated Academics San Diego | 0.8 mi | — |
| Finney (Myrtle S.) Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Southwest Middle San Diego | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Launch Virtual Academy San Diego | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Juarez-Lincoln Elementary San Diego | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Sunnyslope Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Otay Elementary Chula Vista | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Smythe Elementary San Ysidro | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Montgomery (John J.) Elementary Chula Vista | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| La Mirada Elementary San Ysidro | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| CWB Academy Chula Vista | 1.5 mi | — |
| Nestor Language Academy Charter San Diego | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Sunset Elementary San Ysidro | 1.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Southwest Senior High San Diego | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert, CA | 3.2 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 3.2 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA | 3.2 |
| Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto, CA | 3.2 |
| Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.2 |
| Arlington Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA | 3.2 |
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 ranks #9,209 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Howard Pence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard Pence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Howard Pence Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Howard Pence Elementary has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.6%
- Phone
- (619) 662-8100
Resources & Links
District
South Bay Union- District Enrollment
- 5,595
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,202
- District Rank
- #10 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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