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Average

#4438 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 47% in state

Mcpherson Magnet

Elementary School · Orange Unified

333 South Prospect St., Orange, CA 92869

Enrollment

853

Student-Teacher

27.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Orange

#18 of 27

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,776 of 5,817

In district

#27 of 39

Orange Unified

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Mcpherson Magnet

McPherson Magnet serves 853 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Orange, California. This elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 27.5:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #2098 out of 9566 California schools.

Students show particularly strong literacy skills, with 72% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. Math performance stands at 56% proficient or above, indicating solid foundational skills with continued growth opportunities. McPherson Magnet is situated in Orange's 92869 zip code, a well-established community where the median household income reaches $137,440 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 5.9%, with median home values of $883,600 reflecting the area's desirability. As a regular public school in this mid-size city setting, McPherson Magnet serves families in an affluent Orange County community known for its educational priorities and suburban stability. The school benefits from being located in a neighborhood that strongly values academic achievement and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mcpherson Magnet is 27.5:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.5%
Math vs. State Avg+10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.7 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,068

Mcpherson Magnet — Students at Mcpherson Magnet score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.6%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
56%
ELA
71.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Mcpherson Magnet Compares

See how Mcpherson Magnet performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

333 South Prospect St., Orange, CA 92869

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcpherson Magnet may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jordan Academy of Language and Computer Science (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is La Veta Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Esplanade Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Orange, see our Orange schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
La Veta Elementary Orange 0.5 mi 7.9
El Modena High Orange 0.6 mi 7.9
Prospect Elementary Orange 0.7 mi 4.6
Jordan Academy of Language and Computer Science Orange 0.6 mi 8.1
OUSD Community Day Orange 0.6 mi
OUSD Home Sch Orange 0.6 mi 6.0
OUSD EDGE Virtual Academy Orange 0.6 mi 4.0
Spirit Academy Orange 0.7 mi
THE PRENTICE SCHOOL North Tustin 0.8 mi 8.5
SPIRIT ACADEMY Orange 0.8 mi 7.1
The Prentice School North Tustin 0.8 mi
Esplanade Elementary Orange 0.8 mi 7.3
Orange County Classical Academy Orange 0.9 mi 4.4
La Purisima Catholic School Orange 0.9 mi
LA PURISIMA SCHOOL Orange 0.9 mi 6.4
Rossier Elementary/Middle Spectrum School Orange 1.0 mi
Hewes Middle Tustin 1.1 mi 4.6
ROSSIER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Orange 1.0 mi 5.1
Handy Elementary Orange 1.4 mi 4.8
The Open School Santa Ana 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92869 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$147,047

Median Home Value

$935,200

Median Rent

$2,335/mo

Population

36,684

College Educated

45.7%

Homeownership

72.7%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.6%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcpherson Magnet has a median household income of $147,047. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $935,200, with a median rent of $2,335/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Accelerated Los Angeles, CA 6.5
Alicante Avenue Elementary Lamont, CA 6.5
Arroyo Vista Elementary South Pasadena, CA 6.5
Beacon Park Irvine, CA 6.5
Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale, CA 6.5
Cabrillo Elementary Pacifica, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcpherson Magnet

What grades does Mcpherson Magnet serve?

Mcpherson Magnet serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Mcpherson Magnet?

Mcpherson Magnet has an enrollment of approximately 853 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcpherson Magnet?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcpherson Magnet is 27.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcpherson Magnet rank in CA?

Mcpherson Magnet is ranked #4438 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Mcpherson Magnet's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcpherson Magnet has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Mcpherson Magnet?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcpherson Magnet has 56.9% math proficiency and 71.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcpherson Magnet a charter school?

No, Mcpherson Magnet is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mcpherson Magnet a Title I school?

No, Mcpherson Magnet is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcpherson Magnet?

42.8% of students at Mcpherson Magnet 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

City Safety
High (1,525/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
853
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Orange Unified
District Enrollment
24,266
Schools in District
41
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,147
District Rank
#27 of 39

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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