Excellent
#1229 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 13% in state
Ira Harbison
Elementary School · National Elementary
3235 EastEighth St., National City, CA 91950
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In National City
#1 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#888 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 10
National Elementary
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Ira Harbison
Ira Harbison is an elementary school located in National City, California, within San Diego County. Situated at 3235 East Eighth Street, the school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With a total enrollment of 372 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1, Ira Harbison provides a supportive learning environment with 17 full-time equivalent teachers.
The academic performance at Ira Harbison is rated as moderate, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3465 out of 9566 schools in California (placing it around the 64th percentile). The school’s academic score is 5.3/10, reflecting areas for growth in both ELA/Reading (with 40% of students proficient or above) and Math (where 30% are proficient). Ira Harbison is situated in a large suburban area, offering students the benefits of community resources while maintaining a close-knit school atmosphere.
The setting provides a blend of urban amenities and residential comfort, fostering a sense of belonging among students and families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ira Harbison is 21.9:1, 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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Ira Harbison — Students at Ira Harbison score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Ira Harbison Compares
See how Ira Harbison performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24% (2019) to 29.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 39% (2019) to 38.86% (2024).
Location
3235 EastEighth St., National City, CA 91950
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ira Harbison may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nye Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a very similar rating. Another option is Bethune K-8 (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rancho de la Nacion (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in National City, see our National City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Palmer Way National City | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Srinivasan School San Diego | 0.7 mi | — |
| Nye Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy National City | 0.9 mi | — |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Perry Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Granger Junior High National City | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| El Toyon Elementary National City | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Acres National City | 1.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Valencia Park Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Las Palmas National City | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Ingenuity Charter San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| The O'Farrell Charter San Diego | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| ST RITA'S SCHOOL San Diego | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| St. Rita's School San Diego | 1.5 mi | — |
| Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Bethune K-8 San Diego | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91950 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,858
Median Home Value
$580,700
Median Rent
$1,600/mo
Population
57,173
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
35.2%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ira Harbison has a median household income of $63,858. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $580,700, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Addison Elementary Palo Alto, CA | 8.1 |
| Aloha Elementary Lakewood, CA | 8.1 |
| Altadena Elementary Altadena, CA | 8.1 |
| Alvarado Elementary Signal Hill, CA | 8.1 |
| Aptitud Community Academy at Goss San Jose, CA | 8.1 |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ira Harbison
What grades does Ira Harbison serve?
Ira Harbison serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Ira Harbison?
Ira Harbison has an enrollment of approximately 372 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ira Harbison?
The student-teacher ratio at Ira Harbison is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ira Harbison rank in CA?
Ira Harbison is ranked #1229 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ira Harbison's MySchoolScout rating?
Ira Harbison has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Ira Harbison?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ira Harbison has 29.9% math proficiency and 40.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ira Harbison a charter school?
No, Ira Harbison is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ira Harbison a Title I school?
No, Ira Harbison is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ira Harbison?
74.2% of students at Ira Harbison 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
- Walk Score
- 56 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 39 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 40 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,651/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (National City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 372
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 336-8200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
National Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,200
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,721
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
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
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- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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