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Below Average

#8417 of 9,533 schools in CA

Literacy First Charter

School · Literacy First Charter District

799 East Washington Ave., EL Cajon, CA 92020

Charter

Enrollment

2,050

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In EL Cajon

#25 of 38

public schools

California schools

#412 of 475

Equity

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Literacy First Charter

Literacy First Charter serves 2,050 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in El Cajon, offering families a comprehensive K-12 education option within the charter school system. With 95 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.6 to 1, providing reasonable class sizes for individual attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 82nd percentile statewide at #1721 out of 9,566 California schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 61% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 48% of students reaching proficiency standards. As a charter school, Literacy First Charter offers families an alternative to traditional district schools while maintaining public school accessibility.

The school's comprehensive grade range allows students to complete their entire K-12 education in one institutional setting, fostering continuity and long-term relationships within the school community. Located on East Washington Avenue in El Cajon's large suburban setting, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $71,400 and home values average $676,200. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of working families, with 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

What Parents Should Know

Literacy First Charter is a large school with 2,050 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Literacy First Charter is 21.6:1, 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.

Literacy First Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.6%
Math vs. State Avg+3.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.8 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,024

Literacy First Charter — Students at Literacy First Charter score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.6%
School
State
35.7%
ELA Proficiency 62.7%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
68%
2024
Math
48%
ELA
60.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Literacy First Charter Compares

See how Literacy First Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
12th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
95 teachers

Location

799 East Washington Ave., EL Cajon, CA 92020

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Literacy First Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. Elite Academy (rated 6.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Johnson Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Cajon, see our EL Cajon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
CHASE RANCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL El Cajon 0.5 mi
Anza Elementary El Cajon 0.5 mi 2.9
Empower El Cajon 0.6 mi
Lexington Elementary El Cajon 0.5 mi 5.1
Chase Avenue Elementary El Cajon 0.7 mi 3.8
HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon 0.7 mi 6.0
Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon 0.9 mi 5.7
El Cajon Valley High El Cajon 0.9 mi 4.6
EJE Elementary Academy Charter El Cajon 1.0 mi 2.6
EJE Middle Academy El Cajon 1.0 mi 4.1
Elite Academy El Cajon 1.1 mi 6.7
REACH Academy La Mesa 1.1 mi
Naranca Elementary El Cajon 1.3 mi 3.4
Johnson Elementary El Cajon 1.4 mi 6.5
Diego Valley East Public Charter El Cajon 1.4 mi 4.5
Altus Schools East County San Diego 1.5 mi 4.9
Fuerte Elementary El Cajon 1.8 mi 4.8
Meridian Elementary El Cajon 1.5 mi 4.4
Magnolia Elementary El Cajon 1.9 mi 3.5
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - WEST CAMPUS El Cajon 1.6 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,822

Median Home Value

$741,600

Median Rent

$1,793/mo

Population

58,490

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

43.1%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Literacy First Charter has a median household income of $72,822. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $741,600, with a median rent of $1,793/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
California Virtual Academy at Fresno Simi Valley, CA 4.4
California Virtual Academy at Maricopa Simi Valley, CA 4.4
Clarksville Charter Orangevile, CA 4.4
ONTARIO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ontario, CA 4.5
Palmdale Aerospace Academy Palmdale, CA 4.5
Riverside Preparatory Oro Grande, CA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Literacy First Charter

What grades does Literacy First Charter serve?

Literacy First Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Literacy First Charter?

Literacy First Charter has an enrollment of approximately 2,050 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Literacy First Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Literacy First Charter is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Literacy First Charter rank in CA?

Literacy First Charter is ranked #8417 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Literacy First Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Literacy First Charter has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Literacy First Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Literacy First Charter has 50.6% math proficiency and 62.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Literacy First Charter a charter school?

Yes, Literacy First Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Literacy First Charter a Title I school?

No, Literacy First Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Literacy First Charter?

55.0% of students at Literacy First Charter 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
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,952/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Cajon). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
2,050
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
95
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Literacy First Charter District
District Enrollment
2,050
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,951
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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