Below Average
#7860 of 9,539 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,860 of 9,539
In National City
#8 of 15
public schools
In district
#6 of 10
National Elementary
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John A. Otis Elementary
Elementary School in National City · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
National City Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Olivewood
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About John A. Otis Elementary
John A. Otis Elementary is a public elementary school in National City, CA, part of National Elementary. John A.
Otis Elementary serves approximately 400 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. John A. Otis Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #7,860 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for John A. Otis Elementary show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
John A. Otis Elementary runs 22.2:1 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 John A. Otis 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
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 32 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: 3.4/10.
How John A. Otis Elementary Compares
See how John A. Otis Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Balboa Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Toyon Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chavez Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 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 | 4.6 |
| Olivewood National City | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Central Elementary National City | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Sweetwater High National City | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Kimball National City | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Integrity Charter National City | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Las Palmas National City | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy National City | 1.2 mi | — |
| El Toyon Elementary National City | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Acres National City | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Balboa Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Palmer Way National City | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Granger Junior High National City | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chula Vista | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Chavez Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Feaster (Mae L.) Charter Chula Vista | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Hawking S.T.E.A.M. Charter Chula Vista | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Riverside, CA | 4.6 |
| Arlanza Elementary Riverside, CA | 4.6 |
| Buckeye School of the Arts Redding, CA | 4.6 |
| Bursch Elementary Compton, CA | 4.6 |
| Cabrillo Elementary Upland, CA | 4.6 |
| Captain Raymond Collins Long Beach, CA | 4.6 |
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 ranks #7,860 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is John A. Otis Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John A. Otis Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 John A. Otis Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, John A. Otis Elementary has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.2%
- Phone
- (619) 336-8800
Resources & Links
District
National Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,200
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,721
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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