Below Average
#7538 of 9,539 schools in CA
John Kelley Elementary
Elementary School · Coachella Valley Unified
87-163 Center St., Thermal, CA 92274
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,538 of 9,539
In Thermal
#7 of 8
public schools
In district
#18 of 21
Coachella Valley Unified
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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John Kelley Elementary
Elementary School in Thermal · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
La Familia Continuation High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Kingdom of Light Homeschool
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About John Kelley Elementary
John Kelley Elementary is a public elementary school in Thermal, CA, part of Coachella Valley Unified. John Kelley Elementary serves approximately 496 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. John Kelley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,538 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for John Kelley Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
57% of students at John Kelley 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 Kelley Elementary — Students at John Kelley Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 38 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: 3.0/10.
How John Kelley Elementary Compares
See how John Kelley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
87-163 Center St., Thermal, CA 92274
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Kelley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peter Pendleton Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valle del Sol Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cesar Chavez Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thermal, see our Thermal schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Familia Continuation High Thermal | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| The Kingdom of Light Homeschool Thermal | 0.2 mi | — |
| Valle del Sol Elementary Coachella | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Valley View Elementary Coachella | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Bobby Duke Middle Coachella | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Palm View Elementary Coachella | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella | 3.3 mi | 8.3 |
| NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Coachella Valley High Thermal | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Coral Mountain Academy Coachella | 4.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Toro Canyon Middle Thermal | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Desert Mirage High Thermal | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Las Palmitas Elementary Thermal | 4.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella | 4.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Martin Van Buren Elementary Indio | 5.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Westside Elementary Thermal | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Mecca Elementary Mecca | 5.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Elementary Indio | 6.2 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92274 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$36,087
Median Home Value
$139,900
Median Rent
$903/mo
Population
17,909
College Educated
5.3%
Homeownership
75.1%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
35.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ansgar Larsen Elementary Oxnard, CA | 4.8 |
| Aptitud Community Academy at Goss San Jose, CA | 4.8 |
| Barbara Webster Elementary Santa Paula, CA | 4.8 |
| Barton Elementary Long Beach, CA | 4.8 |
| Beardsley Elementary Bakersfield, CA | 4.8 |
| Bennett/Kew P-8 Leadership Academy of Excellence Inglewood, CA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Kelley Elementary
What grades does John Kelley Elementary serve?
John Kelley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend John Kelley Elementary?
John Kelley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Kelley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at John Kelley Elementary is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Kelley Elementary rank in CA?
John Kelley Elementary ranks #7,538 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is John Kelley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John Kelley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Kelley Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, John Kelley Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is John Kelley Elementary a charter school?
No, John Kelley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Kelley Elementary a Title I school?
No, John Kelley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Kelley Elementary?
94.8% of students at John Kelley 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 496
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 56.5%
- Phone
- (760) 399-5101
Resources & Links
District
Coachella Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 16,046
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,412
- District Rank
- #18 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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