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Average

#7294 of 9,533 schools in CA

Manuel Esqueda Elementary

Elementary School · Santa Ana Unified

2240 South Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92707

Enrollment

897

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Ana

#60 of 73

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,317 of 5,817

In district

#43 of 51

Santa Ana Unified

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Manuel Esqueda Elementary

Manuel Esqueda Elementary serves 897 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Santa Ana, California. This regular public school operates with 40 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 22.4 to 1. Academically, the school has significant room for growth, with 21% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 15% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

Manuel Esqueda Elementary ranks in the 10th percentile statewide, placing #8619 out of 9566 California schools, indicating the school is focusing on student development and working to improve academic outcomes. The school draws from a diverse community in the 92707 zip code area, where the median household income is $94,862 and the median home value reaches $606,100. While 17% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.8%.

This suggests a working-class community with economic stability but varying educational backgrounds. Manuel Esqueda Elementary is positioned in Santa Ana, a large city environment in Orange County, providing students access to the resources and opportunities that come with an urban setting while serving families from a economically stable neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Manuel Esqueda Elementary is 22.4:1, 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.8%
Math vs. State Avg-31.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,952

Manuel Esqueda Elementary — Students at Manuel Esqueda Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.8%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 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
22%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
14.9%
ELA
20.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.

How Manuel Esqueda Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in CA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

2240 South Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92707

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Manuel Esqueda Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Martin Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Ana, see our Santa Ana schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Cesar E. Chavez High Santa Ana 0.2 mi 5.4
Thomas A. Edison Elementary Santa Ana 0.4 mi 6.9
Monroe Elementary Santa Ana 0.4 mi 6.3
Washington Elementary Santa Ana 0.4 mi 7.9
Saddleback High Santa Ana 0.8 mi 8.2
ST ANNE SCHOOL Santa Ana 0.9 mi 5.1
Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana 0.9 mi 6.7
Julia C. Lathrop Intermediate Santa Ana 1.1 mi 6.3
Mater Dei High School Santa Ana 1.1 mi
Martin Elementary Santa Ana 1.1 mi 7.2
Madison Elementary Santa Ana 1.1 mi 6.2
Franklin Elementary Santa Ana 1.3 mi 3.2
RICCA CHILDRENS LEARNING CENTER Santa Ana 1.1 mi
SOUTH COAST METRO CHILDREN'S VILLAGE Santa Ana 1.1 mi
Jefferson Elementary Santa Ana 1.2 mi 8.2
Taft Elementary Santa Ana 1.5 mi 5.4
John F. Kennedy Elementary Santa Ana 1.4 mi 5.2
Pio Pico Elementary Santa Ana 1.5 mi 3.9
Lowell Elementary Santa Ana 1.6 mi 4.1
Century High Santa Ana 1.5 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,491

Median Home Value

$635,600

Median Rent

$2,141/mo

Population

59,213

College Educated

16.8%

Homeownership

48.6%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

32.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Manuel Esqueda Elementary has a median household income of $99,491. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $635,600, with a median rent of $2,141/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Arroyo Seco Academy Greenfield, CA 5.2
Avocado Elementary La Mesa, CA 5.2
Beulah Payne P-8 STEAM Academy Inglewood, CA 5.2
Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs, CA 5.2
Chollas/Mead Elementary San Diego, CA 5.2
Cottonwood Creek Elementary Visalia, CA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Manuel Esqueda Elementary

What grades does Manuel Esqueda Elementary serve?

Manuel Esqueda Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Manuel Esqueda Elementary?

Manuel Esqueda Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 897 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Manuel Esqueda Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Manuel Esqueda Elementary is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Manuel Esqueda Elementary rank in CA?

Manuel Esqueda Elementary is ranked #7294 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Manuel Esqueda Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Manuel Esqueda Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Manuel Esqueda Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Manuel Esqueda Elementary has 15.8% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Manuel Esqueda Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Manuel Esqueda Elementary a Title I school?

No, Manuel Esqueda Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

84.1% of students at Manuel Esqueda 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

City Safety
High (2,203/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Ana). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
897
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Ana Unified
District Enrollment
38,031
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,309
District Rank
#43 of 51

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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