Average
#6785 of 9,533 schools in CA
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
Elementary School · El Centro Elementary
1950 Villa Ave., EL Centro, CA 92243
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Centro
#15 of 21
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,018 of 5,817
In district
#9 of 12
El Centro Elementary
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in El Centro, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 415 students with a student-teacher ratio of 24.4:1.
It boasts 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. The academic performance at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary shows room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and its state ranking of #6817 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 29th percentile.
The school's academic score is 4.9/10, with 41% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English language arts (ELA) and reading, while 28% are proficient in math. Despite these numbers, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary continues to focus on student development and works diligently to enhance its academic offerings.
The school is situated in a small city setting within the Imperial County area, offering students a close-knit community environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary is 24.4:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary — Students at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 4.3/10.
How Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Compares
See how Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 24.89% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 39.48% (2024).
Location
1950 Villa Ave., EL Centro, CA 92243
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, De Anza Magnet (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Centro, see our EL Centro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower Elementary El Centro | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Imperial Valley Home School Academy El Centro | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary El Centro | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| McKinley Elementary El Centro | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Valley Christian Heritage School Imperial | 1.2 mi | — |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SCHOOL Imperial | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST MARY S SCHOOL El Centro | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| St. Marys School El Centro | 1.3 mi | — |
| Kennedy Middle El Centro | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| T. L. Waggoner Elementary Imperial | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Union High El Centro | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilson Jr. High El Centro | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Calvary Chapel Christian School El Centro El Centro | 1.4 mi | — |
| De Anza Magnet El Centro | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Harding Elementary El Centro | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Southwest High El Centro | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Christian Home Academy El Centro | 2.1 mi | — |
| Desert Garden Elementary El Centro | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,890
Median Home Value
$286,100
Median Rent
$992/mo
Population
48,556
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
51.5%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary has a median household income of $55,890. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,100, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary Alamo, CA | 5.4 |
| Alexander Rose Elementary Milpitas, CA | 5.4 |
| April Lane Elementary Yuba City, CA | 5.4 |
| August Elementary Stockton, CA | 5.4 |
| Beckman Elementary Lodi, CA | 5.4 |
| Briarwood Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
What grades does Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary serve?
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary?
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary is 24.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary rank in CA?
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary is ranked #6785 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary has 27.9% math proficiency and 40.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary a charter school?
No, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary a Title I school?
No, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary?
93.5% of students at Martin Luther King Jr. 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 (1,607/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Centro). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Imperial County
- Phone
- (760) 337-6555
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
El Centro Elementary- District Enrollment
- 5,182
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,901
- District Rank
- #9 of 12
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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