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Very Good

#2050 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

Mark Twain Special Center

School · Garden Grove Unified

11802 Loara St., Garden Grove, CA 92840

Enrollment

85

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garden Grove

#27 of 51

public schools

California schools

#28 of 475

In district

#34 of 64

Garden Grove Unified

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Mark Twain Special Center

Mark Twain Special Center is a regular public school in Garden Grove, California, nestled in a large suburban area. The school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and currently enrolls 85 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, ensuring that each student receives individualized attention from its seven full-time equivalent teachers. Mark Twain Special Center has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks at #4166 among 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 56th percentile statewide.

Academically, students show proficiency rates of 18% in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate room for improvement, they also highlight a focus on student development and support. Mark Twain Special Center is situated in Garden Grove, providing a suburban setting that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and local amenities to its community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 85 students, Mark Twain Special Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,796

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 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
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: 10.0/10.

How Mark Twain Special Center Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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. Linton T. Simmons Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Madison (James) Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Anaheim), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Garden Grove High (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly 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 7.2
Linton T. Simmons Elementary Garden Grove 0.5 mi 8.4
Louis Lake Intermediate Garden Grove 0.6 mi 7.4
Stoddard (Alexander J.) Elementary Anaheim 0.7 mi 5.9
Ethel M. Evans Elementary Garden Grove 0.8 mi 7.7
Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate Garden Grove 0.8 mi 7.9
Genevieve M. Crosby Elementary Garden Grove 0.8 mi 7.8
Garden Grove High Garden Grove 0.9 mi 8.1
ST COLUMBAN SCHOOL Garden Grove 1.0 mi 5.3
St. Columban Garden Grove 1.0 mi
Faylane Elementary Garden Grove 0.9 mi 7.4
Izaak Walton Intermediate Garden Grove 1.0 mi 6.5
C. C. Violette Elementary Garden Grove 1.1 mi 6.6
Parkview Elementary Garden Grove 1.0 mi 8.1
Village Bible Academy Garden Grove 1.3 mi
Loara High Anaheim 1.4 mi 4.9
Ocia A. Peters Elementary Garden Grove 1.4 mi 6.4
Madison (James) Elementary Anaheim 1.5 mi 8.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mark Twain Special Center has a median household income of $96,555. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $746,900, with a median rent of $1,955/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
BETHEL BAPTIST SCHOOL Santa Ana, CA 7.6
Home & Hosp/Transition Support San Diego, CA 7.6
PACIFIC ACADEMY Encinitas, CA 7.6
SAM & ROSE STEIN EDUCATION CENTER San Diego, CA 7.6
SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN ACADEMY San Diego, CA 7.6
NISHIYAMATO ACADEMY OF CALIFORNIA Lomita, CA 7.5

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 is ranked #2050 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mark Twain Special Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Mark Twain Special Center has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Mark Twain Special Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mark Twain Special Center has 17.5% math proficiency and 17.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,050/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Garden Grove). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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