Very Good
#2614 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 27% in state
John Kelley Elementary
Elementary School · Coachella Valley Unified
87-163 Center St., Thermal, CA 92274
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thermal
#2 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,769 of 5,817
In district
#7 of 21
Coachella Valley Unified
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About John Kelley Elementary
John Kelley Elementary in Thermal, California, is a regular public school for kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 496 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school benefits from having 31 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning needs. Located in a large suburban area, John Kelley Elementary offers a community-focused environment where educators work closely with families to ensure every child receives individual attention.
The academic performance at John Kelley Elementary shows room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 36th percentile among California schools. Test scores indicate that 26% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 19% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is actively working on improving these metrics to better serve its student body.
John Kelley Elementary sits at the heart of Thermal, surrounded by a community dedicated to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How John Kelley Elementary Compares
See how John Kelley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 19.83% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 27.69% (2024).
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 8.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valle del Sol Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palm View Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores slightly 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 | 6.1 |
| The Kingdom of Light Homeschool Thermal | 0.2 mi | — |
| Valle del Sol Elementary Coachella | 2.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Valley View Elementary Coachella | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Bobby Duke Middle Coachella | 3.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Palm View Elementary Coachella | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella | 3.3 mi | 8.9 |
| NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Coachella Valley High Thermal | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella | 4.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Coral Mountain Academy Coachella | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Toro Canyon Middle Thermal | 4.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Desert Mirage High Thermal | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Las Palmitas Elementary Thermal | 4.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella | 4.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Martin Van Buren Elementary Indio | 5.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Westside Elementary Thermal | 5.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Mecca Elementary Mecca | 5.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Elementary Indio | 6.2 mi | 3.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding John Kelley Elementary has a median household income of $36,087. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,900, with a median rent of $903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.3 |
| Achieve Academy Oakland, CA | 7.3 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater, CA | 7.3 |
| Almaden Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.3 |
| Amy Imai Elementary Mountain View, CA | 7.3 |
| Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz, CA | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #2614 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is John Kelley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John Kelley Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Kelley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Kelley Elementary has 18.9% math proficiency and 26.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 399-5101
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Coachella Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 16,046
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,412
- District Rank
- #7 of 21
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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