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
Enrollment
897
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Manuel Esqueda Elementary — Students at Manuel Esqueda Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 14.19% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 20.76% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (714) 431-1500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Ana Unified- District Enrollment
- 38,031
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,309
- District Rank
- #43 of 51
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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