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Excellent

#826 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 9% in state

John Murdy Elementary

Elementary School · Garden Grove Unified

14851 Donegal Dr., Garden Grove, CA 92844

Enrollment

673

Student-Teacher

24.9:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#826 of 9,539

In Garden Grove

#14 of 51

public schools

In district

#18 of 64

Garden Grove Unified

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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John Murdy Elementary

8.5/10

Elementary School in Garden Grove · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Leo Carrillo Elementary

5.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sarah Mcgarvin Intermediate

8.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About John Murdy Elementary

John Murdy Elementary is a public elementary school in Garden Grove, CA, part of Garden Grove Unified. John Murdy Elementary serves approximately 673 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.9:1 student-teacher ratio. John Murdy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #826 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for John Murdy Elementary show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.4
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

John Murdy Elementary runs 24.9:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+20.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.5 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+37.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,026
Chronic Absenteeism16%

John Murdy Elementary — Students at John Murdy Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 67.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
85%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
66.4%
ELA
67.2%
2024
Math
66.4%
ELA
70.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How John Murdy Elementary Compares

See how John Murdy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
91th percentile in CA
Academic
9.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

14851 Donegal Dr., Garden Grove, CA 92844

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Murdy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A. G. Cook Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ethan B. Allen Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Fountain Valley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Morningside Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Garden Grove, see our Garden Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Leo Carrillo Elementary Westminster 0.4 mi 5.8
Sarah McGarvin Intermediate Westminster 0.5 mi 8.8
Merton E. Hill Elementary Garden Grove 0.5 mi 6.8
ORANGE CRESCENT SCHOOL Garden Grove 0.6 mi 7.1
Orange Crescent Garden Grove 0.6 mi
American Elite Education Westminster 0.6 mi
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Westminster 0.7 mi 5.7
Susan B. Anthony Elementary Westminster 0.8 mi 8.4
Jessie Hayden Elementary Midway City 0.8 mi 6.8
Bolsa Grande High Garden Grove 1.0 mi 8.5
John Marshall Elementary Westminster 1.0 mi 6.1
Post Elementary Westminster 0.9 mi 8.1
A. G. Cook Elementary Garden Grove 1.1 mi 9.2
La Quinta High Westminster 1.1 mi 8.8
James Irvine Intermediate Garden Grove 1.0 mi 8.4
Jordan Secondary Learning Center Garden Grove 1.2 mi 6.2
Donald S. Jordan Intermediate Garden Grove 1.2 mi 8.5
Anderson Elementary Garden Grove 1.2 mi 4.9
Morningside Elementary Garden Grove 1.2 mi 8.6
Ethan B. Allen Elementary Fountain Valley 1.3 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92844 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,590

Median Home Value

$706,900

Median Rent

$1,989/mo

Population

22,719

College Educated

22%

Homeownership

41%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alexandria Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.5
Anza Elementary Torrance, CA 8.5
Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad, CA 8.5
Bella Vista Elementary San Ramon, CA 8.5
Capri Elementary Campbell, CA 8.5
Carleton P. Lightfoot Elementary Alta Loma, CA 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Murdy Elementary

What grades does John Murdy Elementary serve?

John Murdy Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend John Murdy Elementary?

John Murdy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 673 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Murdy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at John Murdy Elementary is 24.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Murdy Elementary rank in CA?

John Murdy Elementary ranks #826 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is John Murdy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Murdy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Murdy Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Murdy Elementary has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is John Murdy Elementary a charter school?

No, John Murdy Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Murdy Elementary a Title I school?

No, John Murdy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Murdy Elementary?

76.8% of students at John Murdy 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
91 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
673
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.0%

District

Garden Grove Unified
District Enrollment
37,763
Schools in District
66
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,026
District Rank
#18 of 64

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