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Very Good

#1690 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 18% 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

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garden Grove

#23 of 51

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,189 of 5,817

In district

#29 of 64

Garden Grove Unified

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About John Murdy Elementary

John Murdy Elementary serves 673 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Garden Grove's established suburban neighborhoods. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 24.9:1 student-teacher ratio, this regular public school has earned recognition as a high-performing institution in Orange County. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, earning an impressive 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide at #1207 out of 9,566 California elementary schools.

Students consistently perform well on standardized assessments, with 71% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 66% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics across all grade levels. John Murdy Elementary draws families from the surrounding 92844 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $71,354 and median home values reach $667,900. The community of 22,622 residents reflects a diverse suburban environment, with 22% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 15.4%.

Located on Donegal Drive in this large suburban setting, John Murdy Elementary provides a stable educational foundation for students in an established Garden Grove neighborhood that balances accessibility with solid academic performance.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at John Murdy Elementary is 24.9:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.3%
Math vs. State Avg+20.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.5 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+37.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,796

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 66.7%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 70.5%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2024
Math
66.4%
ELA
70.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How John Murdy Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in CA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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. John Marshall Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores notably higher. Another option is Merton E. Hill Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, A. G. Cook Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.1
Sarah McGarvin Intermediate Westminster 0.5 mi 7.6
Merton E. Hill Elementary Garden Grove 0.5 mi 8.9
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 6.3
Jessie Hayden Elementary Midway City 0.8 mi 5.5
Bolsa Grande High Garden Grove 1.0 mi 7.9
John Marshall Elementary Westminster 1.0 mi 9.0
Post Elementary Westminster 0.9 mi 7.1
A. G. Cook Elementary Garden Grove 1.1 mi 8.4
La Quinta High Westminster 1.1 mi 8.0
James Irvine Intermediate Garden Grove 1.0 mi 8.7
Jordan Secondary Learning Center Garden Grove 1.2 mi 8.0
Donald S. Jordan Intermediate Garden Grove 1.2 mi 7.6
Anderson Elementary Garden Grove 1.2 mi 3.9
Morningside Elementary Garden Grove 1.2 mi 6.7
Ethan B. Allen Elementary Fountain Valley 1.3 mi 7.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding John Murdy Elementary has a median household income of $73,590. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $706,900, with a median rent of $1,989/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula, CA 7.8
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Cupertino, CA 7.8
Anaheim Hills Elementary Anaheim, CA 7.8
Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad, CA 7.8
Bellevue Elementary Santa Rosa, CA 7.8
Bradley Elementary San Bernardino, CA 7.8

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 is ranked #1690 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is John Murdy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Murdy Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Murdy Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Murdy Elementary has 66.7% math proficiency and 70.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,050/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Garden Grove). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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