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Needs Improvement

#9523 of 9,539 schools in CA

Magnolia Elementary

Elementary School · Cajon Valley Union

650 Greenfield Dr., EL Cajon, CA 92021

Enrollment

650

Student-Teacher

27.1:1

Score

2.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,523 of 9,539

In EL Cajon

#38 of 38

public schools

In district

#24 of 24

Cajon Valley Union

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Magnolia Elementary

2.0/10

Elementary School in EL Cajon · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Altus Schools East County

4.6/10

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

Naranca Elementary

2.6/10

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

About Magnolia Elementary

Magnolia Elementary is a public elementary school in EL Cajon, CA, part of Cajon Valley Union. Magnolia Elementary serves approximately 650 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 27.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Magnolia Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 out of 10 and ranks #9,523 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Magnolia Elementary show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 2.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Magnolia Elementary runs 27.1:1 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.

46% of students at Magnolia 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 Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-3.14 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-38.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.8 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,982
Chronic Absenteeism46%

Magnolia Elementary — Students at Magnolia Elementary score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 26.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
48%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
24%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
18%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
13.6%
ELA
20.3%
2024
Math
7.4%
ELA
9.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.

How Magnolia Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.0/10
0th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.0%

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

650 Greenfield Dr., EL Cajon, CA 92021

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Magnolia Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kidinnu Academy (rated 8.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST KIERAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Johnson Elementary (rated 5.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Cajon, see our EL Cajon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Altus Schools East County San Diego 0.7 mi 4.6
Naranca Elementary El Cajon 0.8 mi 2.6
Pepper Drive Elementary El Cajon 0.9 mi 4.3
Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon 1.0 mi 5.2
El Cajon Valley High El Cajon 1.1 mi 4.4
Empower El Cajon 1.3 mi
Johnson Elementary El Cajon 1.2 mi 5.0
Kidinnu Academy El Cajon 1.2 mi 8.7
Diego Valley East Public Charter El Cajon 1.4 mi 3.9
Bostonia Global El Cajon 1.4 mi 2.8
PEPPER VALLEY LEARNING CENTER El Cajon 1.4 mi
W. D. Hall Elementary El Cajon 1.5 mi 3.1
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN El Cajon 1.5 mi
Saint Kieran Catholic School El Cajon 1.5 mi
Greenfield Middle El Cajon 1.5 mi 4.1
Lexington Elementary El Cajon 1.8 mi 3.7
ST KIERAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL El Cajon 1.5 mi 6.1
Chaparral High El Cajon 1.5 mi 6.6
MERIT Academy La Mesa 1.5 mi 3.6
IDEA Center El Cajon 1.5 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,979

Median Home Value

$572,000

Median Rent

$1,818/mo

Population

69,306

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

52.7%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

36

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cambridge Elementary Concord, CA 2.0
Highland Elementary Vallejo, CA 2.0
Aspire Port City Academy Oakland, CA 2.1
Birch Grove Primary Newark, CA 2.1
Brentwood Elementary Victorville, CA 2.1
Donald F. Bradach Elementary Adelanto, CA 2.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Magnolia Elementary

What grades does Magnolia Elementary serve?

Magnolia Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Magnolia Elementary?

Magnolia Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 650 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Magnolia Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Magnolia Elementary is 27.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Magnolia Elementary rank in CA?

Magnolia Elementary ranks #9,523 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Magnolia Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Magnolia Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 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 Magnolia Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Magnolia Elementary has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Magnolia Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Magnolia Elementary a Title I school?

No, Magnolia Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

88.0% of students at Magnolia 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
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
650
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.0%

District

Cajon Valley Union
District Enrollment
15,607
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,982
District Rank
#24 of 24

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