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
Enrollment
673
Student-Teacher
24.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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John Murdy Elementary — Students at John Murdy Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 68% (2019) to 66.01% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 70% (2019) to 70.34% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (714) 663-6405
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garden Grove Unified- District Enrollment
- 37,763
- Schools in District
- 66
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,026
- District Rank
- #29 of 64
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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