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
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
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
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
School in Garden Grove · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chapman Montessori School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary
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).
- 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mark Twain Special Center — Students at Mark Twain Special Center score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA EDFACTS (2020-21)
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: 2.3/10.
How Mark Twain Special Center Compares
See how Mark Twain Special Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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.
Neighborhood Context
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%
- Phone
- (714) 663-6050
Resources & Links
District
Garden Grove Unified- District Enrollment
- 37,763
- Schools in District
- 66
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,026
- District Rank
- #64 of 64
Other Schools in This District
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 rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.