Very Good
#1691 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 18% in state
John R. Peterson Elementary
Elementary School · Huntington Beach City Elementary
20661 Farnsworth Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntington Beach
#8 of 32
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,190 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 8
Huntington Beach City Elementary
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About John R. Peterson Elementary
John R. Peterson Elementary serves 512 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Huntington Beach, providing a strong academic foundation in Orange County's vibrant coastal community. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1, allowing educators to guide students through their early academic journey.
The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, earning an 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #906 out of 9,566 California elementary schools. Students show solid mastery of core subjects, with 71% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 67% reach proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Peterson Elementary draws families from an established suburban neighborhood where the median household income reaches $123,899 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area's low 6% poverty rate and median home values of $951,600 reflect the community's investment in educational excellence and family stability. Located on Farnsworth Lane, the school serves as an educational cornerstone in Huntington Beach's large suburban landscape, where families value both academic achievement and the balanced lifestyle that Orange County's coastal setting provides.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at John R. Peterson Elementary is 23.3:1, 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 R. Peterson Elementary — Students at John R. Peterson Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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 R. Peterson Elementary Compares
See how John R. Peterson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 66.81% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 70.35% (2024).
Location
20661 Farnsworth Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John R. Peterson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newland (William T.) Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ralph E. Hawes Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oka (Isojiro) Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Huntington Beach, see our Huntington Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| S. A. Moffett Elementary Huntington Beach | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Kinetic Academy Huntington Beach | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| STS SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Huntington Beach | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| St. Simon and St. Jude Elementary Huntington Beach | 0.9 mi | — |
| Newland (William T.) Elementary Huntington Beach | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Elm Tree Academy Huntington Beach | 1.1 mi | — |
| Edison High Huntington Beach | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Isaac L. Sowers Middle Huntington Beach | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Ethel Dwyer Middle Huntington Beach | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Agnes L. Smith Elementary Huntington Beach | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Huntington Beach High Huntington Beach | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Holy Family Institute Huntington Beach | 1.5 mi | — |
| HOLY FAMILY INSTITUTE Huntington Beach | 1.5 mi | — |
| FUSION ACADEMY HUNTINGTON BEACH SEACLIFF VILLAGE Huntington Beach | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Talbert (Samuel E.) Middle Huntington Beach | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Ralph E. Hawes Elementary Huntington Beach | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| John H. Eader Elementary Huntington Beach | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Patti's Preschool, Inc. Huntington Beach | 1.8 mi | — |
| Oka (Isojiro) Elementary Huntington Beach | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Courreges (Roch) Elementary Fountain Valley | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92646 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$132,841
Median Home Value
$1,031,700
Median Rent
$2,570/mo
Population
55,814
College Educated
50.4%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
47.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding John R. Peterson Elementary has a median household income of $132,841. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,031,700, with a median rent of $2,570/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| A. L. Conner Elementary Orange Cove, CA | 7.8 |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John R. Peterson Elementary
What grades does John R. Peterson Elementary serve?
John R. Peterson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend John R. Peterson Elementary?
John R. Peterson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John R. Peterson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at John R. Peterson Elementary is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John R. Peterson Elementary rank in CA?
John R. Peterson Elementary is ranked #1691 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is John R. Peterson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John R. Peterson 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 R. Peterson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John R. Peterson Elementary has 66.9% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John R. Peterson Elementary a charter school?
No, John R. Peterson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John R. Peterson Elementary a Title I school?
No, John R. Peterson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John R. Peterson Elementary?
44.5% of students at John R. Peterson 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 66 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 66 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,213/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntington Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 512
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 378-1515
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntington Beach City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,628
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,730
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
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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