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
Enrollment
2,050
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
2,050
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Literacy First Charter — Students at Literacy First Charter score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 48.79% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 59.62% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (619) 579-7232
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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