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Below Average

#7677 of 9,539 schools in CA

John Steinbeck Elementary

Elementary School · Central Unified

3550 North Milburn Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Enrollment

697

Student-Teacher

27.9:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,677 of 9,539

In Fresno

#157 of 175

public schools

In district

#19 of 23

Central Unified

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John Steinbeck Elementary

4.7/10

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

Central East High

5.9/10

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

Central Unified Alternative/opportunity

5.0/10

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

About John Steinbeck Elementary

John Steinbeck Elementary is a public elementary school in Fresno, CA, part of Central Unified. John Steinbeck Elementary serves approximately 697 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 27.9:1 student-teacher ratio. John Steinbeck Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,677 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for John Steinbeck Elementary show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

John Steinbeck Elementary runs 27.9:1 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.

35% of students at John Steinbeck Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,205
Chronic Absenteeism35.2%

John Steinbeck Elementary — Students at John Steinbeck Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 35.7% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
56%
ELA
44%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
19%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
21.7%
ELA
33.3%
2024
Math
22.7%
ELA
34.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.9/10.

How John Steinbeck Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
20th percentile in CA
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.2%

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

3550 North Milburn Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Steinbeck Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aspen Valley Prep Academy (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hanh Phan Tilley Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawless Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fresno, see our Fresno schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Central East High Fresno 0.4 mi 5.9
Central Unified Alternative/Opportunity Fresno 1.1 mi 5.0
Fresno California Academy Fresno 1.2 mi
Teague Elementary Fresno 1.3 mi 5.0
Crescent View South II Fresno 1.4 mi 4.6
El Capitan Middle Fresno 1.5 mi 6.4
McKinley Elementary Fresno 1.6 mi 5.2
Royal Beginnings Fresno 1.4 mi
Central Elementary Fresno 1.6 mi 4.9
Lawless Elementary Fresno 1.7 mi 7.2
Hanh Phan Tilley Elementary Fresno 1.9 mi 7.3
Central Online Home Fresno 1.9 mi 4.4
Glacier Point Middle Fresno 1.9 mi 6.0
Dewolf Continuation High Fresno 2.0 mi 6.8
Harvest Elementary Fresno 2.0 mi 5.5
Slater Elementary Fresno 2.1 mi 7.2
Cooper Middle Fresno 2.1 mi 8.4
New Horizons Private School Fresno 2.6 mi
Wilson Elementary Fresno 2.1 mi 4.1
Aspen Valley Prep Academy Fresno 2.2 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93722 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,335

Median Home Value

$350,700

Median Rent

$1,529/mo

Population

84,500

College Educated

23.2%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

32.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Ana, CA 4.7
Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory San Jose, CA 4.7
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio, CA 4.7
Aspire University Charter Modesto, CA 4.7
Calabasas Elementary Watsonville, CA 4.7
Casa Loma Elementary Bakersfield, CA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Steinbeck Elementary

What grades does John Steinbeck Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend John Steinbeck Elementary?

John Steinbeck Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 697 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at John Steinbeck Elementary is 27.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Steinbeck Elementary rank in CA?

John Steinbeck Elementary ranks #7,677 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is John Steinbeck Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Steinbeck Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Steinbeck Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Steinbeck Elementary has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is John Steinbeck Elementary a charter school?

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

Is John Steinbeck Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

86.7% of students at John Steinbeck 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
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
697
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Fresno County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.2%

District

Central Unified
District Enrollment
15,956
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,205
District Rank
#19 of 23

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