Skip to main content

Below Average

#8077 of 9,539 schools in CA

Mark Twain Special Center

School · Garden Grove Unified

11802 Loara St., Garden Grove, CA 92840

Enrollment

85

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,077 of 9,539

In Garden Grove

#51 of 51

public schools

In district

#64 of 64

Garden Grove Unified

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Mark Twain Special Center?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Mark Twain Special Center

4.4/10

School in Garden Grove · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chapman Montessori School

Nearby

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

Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary

7.0/10

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

About Mark Twain Special Center

Mark Twain Special Center is a public school in Garden Grove, CA, part of Garden Grove Unified. Mark Twain Special Center serves approximately 85 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mark Twain Special Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #8,077 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Mark Twain Special Center show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares3.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 85 students, Mark Twain Special Center is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

55% of students at Mark Twain Special Center 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,026
Chronic Absenteeism55.3%

Mark Twain Special Center — Students at Mark Twain Special Center score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

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.

2009
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2011
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Mark Twain Special Center Compares

See how Mark Twain Special Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
55.3%

Location

11802 Loara St., Garden Grove, CA 92840

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mark Twain Special Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Ethel M. Evans Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garden Grove High (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Genevieve M. Crosby Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Garden Grove, see our Garden Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
CHAPMAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Garden Grove 0.2 mi
Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove 0.4 mi 7.0
Linton T. Simmons Elementary Garden Grove 0.5 mi 6.3
Louis Lake Intermediate Garden Grove 0.6 mi 8.0
Stoddard (Alexander J.) Elementary Anaheim 0.7 mi 5.8
Ethel M. Evans Elementary Garden Grove 0.8 mi 9.1
Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate Garden Grove 0.8 mi 7.6
Genevieve M. Crosby Elementary Garden Grove 0.8 mi 8.5
Garden Grove High Garden Grove 0.9 mi 8.7
ST COLUMBAN SCHOOL Garden Grove 1.0 mi 5.3
St. Columban Garden Grove 1.0 mi
Faylane Elementary Garden Grove 0.9 mi 8.2
Izaak Walton Intermediate Garden Grove 1.0 mi 8.1
C. C. Violette Elementary Garden Grove 1.1 mi 6.3
Parkview Elementary Garden Grove 1.0 mi 6.3
Village Bible Academy Garden Grove 1.3 mi
Loara High Anaheim 1.4 mi 5.8
Ocia A. Peters Elementary Garden Grove 1.4 mi 6.9
Madison (James) Elementary Anaheim 1.5 mi 6.3
O C KIDS PRESCHOOL Garden Grove 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92840 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,555

Median Home Value

$746,900

Median Rent

$1,955/mo

Population

54,475

College Educated

28.5%

Homeownership

53.4%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALDAR ACADEMY Sacramento, CA 4.4
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Lorenzo, CA 4.4
Sophia T. Salvin Special Education Center Los Angeles, CA 4.4
Anderson San Bernardino, CA 4.5
KIPP Stockton Stockton, CA 4.5
Big Sur Charter Monterey, CA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mark Twain Special Center

What grades does Mark Twain Special Center serve?

Mark Twain Special Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Mark Twain Special Center?

Mark Twain Special Center has an enrollment of approximately 85 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Special Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Special Center is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mark Twain Special Center rank in CA?

Mark Twain Special Center ranks #8,077 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Mark Twain Special Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Mark Twain Special Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Mark Twain Special Center?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mark Twain Special Center has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Mark Twain Special Center a charter school?

No, Mark Twain Special Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mark Twain Special Center a Title I school?

No, Mark Twain Special Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mark Twain Special Center?

78.8% of students at Mark Twain Special Center 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
35 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
55.3%

District

Garden Grove Unified
District Enrollment
37,763
Schools in District
66
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,026
District Rank
#64 of 64

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.