Below Average
#8791 of 9,533 schools in CA
John A. Otis Elementary
Elementary School · National Elementary
621 East 18th St., National City, CA 91950
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In National City
#13 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,253 of 5,817
In district
#9 of 10
National Elementary
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About John A. Otis Elementary
John A. Otis Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in National City, California, right on East 18th Street. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade with an enrollment of 400 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1.
With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, John A. Otis Elementary aims to provide a supportive learning environment. The academic performance at John A.
Otis Elementary reflects areas for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #7993 out of 9566 schools in California (16th percentile). The school's ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 30% proficient or above, while Math proficiency is slightly lower at 28%. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to student development and academic growth.
Set in a large suburban area of San Diego County, John A. Otis Elementary is part of a community that values education and supports its schools.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at John A. Otis Elementary is 22.2:1, 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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John A. Otis Elementary — Students at John A. Otis Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.
How John A. Otis Elementary Compares
See how John A. Otis Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 26.14% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 26.69% (2024).
Location
621 East 18th St., National City, CA 91950
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John A. Otis Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rancho de la Nacion (rated 6.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Balboa Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chavez Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. For more schools in National City, see our National City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| National City Middle National City | 0.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Olivewood National City | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Central Elementary National City | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Sweetwater High National City | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Kimball National City | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Integrity Charter National City | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Las Palmas National City | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy National City | 1.2 mi | — |
| El Toyon Elementary National City | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Acres National City | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Balboa Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Palmer Way National City | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Granger Junior High National City | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chula Vista | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Chavez Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Feaster (Mae L.) Charter Chula Vista | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Hawking S.T.E.A.M. Charter Chula Vista | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
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 John A. Otis Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville, CA | 4.1 |
| Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy Oakland, CA | 4.1 |
| Aynesworth Elementary Fresno, CA | 4.1 |
| Chavez Elementary Long Beach, CA | 4.1 |
| Coleman F. Brown Elementary Modesto, CA | 4.1 |
| Delta Elementary Charter Clarksburg, CA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John A. Otis Elementary
What grades does John A. Otis Elementary serve?
John A. Otis Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend John A. Otis Elementary?
John A. Otis Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John A. Otis Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at John A. Otis Elementary is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John A. Otis Elementary rank in CA?
John A. Otis Elementary is ranked #8791 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is John A. Otis Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John A. Otis Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 John A. Otis Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John A. Otis Elementary has 28.4% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John A. Otis Elementary a charter school?
No, John A. Otis Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John A. Otis Elementary a Title I school?
No, John A. Otis Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John A. Otis Elementary?
78.0% of students at John A. Otis 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 (2,651/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (National City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 400
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 336-8800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
National Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,200
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,721
- District Rank
- #9 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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