Excellent
#1103 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 12% in state
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Ana Unified
1522 West Adams St., Santa Ana, CA 92704
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Ana
#5 of 73
public schools
California elementary schools
#798 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 51
Santa Ana Unified
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Jefferson Elementary
Jefferson Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Ana, CA, part of the Santa Ana Unified. The school serves approximately 609 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.4th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 36% proficiency in math, 3 points below the state average and 29% in reading/language arts, 16 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $94,249, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary is 20.3:1, 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
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Jefferson Elementary — Students at Jefferson Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.5%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.
How Jefferson Elementary Compares
See how Jefferson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 37.87% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 29.7% (2024).
Location
1522 West Adams St., Santa Ana, CA 92704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Washington Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Greenville Fundamental Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Martin Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Ana, see our Santa Ana schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McFadden Institute of Technology Santa Ana | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Adams Elementary Santa Ana | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Saddleback High Santa Ana | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Segerstrom High Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Washington Elementary Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Carl Harvey Elementary Santa Ana | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Valley High Santa Ana | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Jim Thorpe Fundamental Santa Ana | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Greenville Fundamental Elementary Santa Ana | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Francis Academy Santa Ana | 1.1 mi | — |
| Mater Dei High School Santa Ana | 1.1 mi | — |
| Gerald P. Carr Intermediate Santa Ana | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Diamond Elementary Santa Ana | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Manuel Esqueda Elementary Santa Ana | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Taft Elementary Santa Ana | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Martin Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles Costa Mesa | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Cesar E. Chavez High Santa Ana | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,249
Median Home Value
$641,600
Median Rent
$2,147/mo
Population
80,408
College Educated
20.4%
Homeownership
50.2%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary has a median household income of $94,249. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $641,600, with a median rent of $2,147/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Alta California Elementary Panorama City, CA | 8.2 |
| Alta Loma Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.2 |
| Andres and Maria Cardenas Elementary Van Nuys, CA | 8.2 |
| Arbolita Elementary La Habra, CA | 8.2 |
| Bellingham Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 8.2 |
| Berlyn Elementary Ontario, CA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elementary
What grades does Jefferson Elementary serve?
Jefferson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elementary?
Jefferson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 609 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elementary rank in CA?
Jefferson Elementary is ranked #1103 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Jefferson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary has 36.0% math proficiency and 28.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elementary a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary?
67.5% of students at Jefferson 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
- Walk Score
- 57 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 39 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 56 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,203/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Ana). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 609
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 431-3800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Ana Unified- District Enrollment
- 38,031
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,309
- District Rank
- #4 of 51
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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