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Below Average

#8440 of 9,533 schools in CA

Meridian Elementary

Elementary School · Cajon Valley Union

651 South Third St., EL Cajon, CA 92019

Enrollment

572

Student-Teacher

26:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In EL Cajon

#26 of 38

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,011 of 5,817

In district

#15 of 24

Cajon Valley Union

About Meridian Elementary

Meridian Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in El Cajon, California. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 572 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 26:1. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Meridian Elementary focuses on creating a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.

The academic performance at Meridian Elementary shows room for improvement, with MySchoolScout ranking the school 2.9 out of 10 and placing it in the 9th percentile among California schools. Students' proficiency rates in ELA/Reading stand at 23% and 16% for Math, indicating areas where the school is working to enhance academic support and resources. Meridian Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, providing students with access to both urban conveniences and the green spaces typical of residential suburbs.

The community around the school is engaged and supportive, fostering an environment that encourages growth and development beyond just academics.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Meridian Elementary is 26:1, 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 Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.2%
Math vs. State Avg-30.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,212

Meridian Elementary — Students at Meridian Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 22.8%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
14.7%
ELA
20.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.

How Meridian Elementary Compares

See how Meridian Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
12th percentile in CA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

651 South Third St., EL Cajon, CA 92019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Meridian Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kidinnu Academy (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST KIERAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Cajon, see our EL Cajon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - WEST CAMPUS El Cajon 0.4 mi 4.2
Montgomery Middle El Cajon 0.7 mi 3.5
REACH Academy La Mesa 0.6 mi
Elite Academy El Cajon 0.7 mi 6.7
Madison Avenue Elementary El Cajon 0.8 mi 3.8
El Cajon SDA School El Cajon 0.9 mi
HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL El Cajon 0.9 mi 6.0
Granite Hills High El Cajon 1.0 mi 5.3
Diego Valley East Public Charter El Cajon 1.0 mi 4.5
EL CAJON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Cajon 1.0 mi 5.0
Lexington Elementary El Cajon 1.0 mi 5.1
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN El Cajon 1.3 mi
Bostonia Global El Cajon 1.5 mi 4.7
Greenfield Middle El Cajon 1.5 mi 5.2
Anza Elementary El Cajon 1.3 mi 2.9
Kidinnu Academy El Cajon 1.5 mi 7.3
CHASE RANCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL El Cajon 1.4 mi
El Cajon Valley High El Cajon 1.4 mi 4.6
ST KIERAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL El Cajon 1.8 mi 6.1
Saint Kieran Catholic School El Cajon 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92019 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,266

Median Home Value

$727,400

Median Rent

$2,141/mo

Population

45,801

College Educated

33.6%

Homeownership

67.3%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Meridian Elementary has a median household income of $99,266. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $727,400, with a median rent of $2,141/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. 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
American Lakes Sacramento, CA 4.4
Aspire University Charter Modesto, CA 4.4
Bay View Academy Monterey, CA 4.4
Bobier Elementary Vista, CA 4.4
Browns Valley Elementary Napa, CA 4.4
Capitol Collegiate Academy Sacramento, CA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Meridian Elementary

What grades does Meridian Elementary serve?

Meridian Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Meridian Elementary?

Meridian Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 572 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Meridian Elementary is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Meridian Elementary rank in CA?

Meridian Elementary is ranked #8440 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Meridian Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Meridian Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Meridian Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meridian Elementary has 16.0% math proficiency and 22.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Meridian Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Meridian Elementary a Title I school?

No, Meridian Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meridian Elementary?

89.7% of students at Meridian 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,952/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
572
Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cajon Valley Union
District Enrollment
15,607
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,982
District Rank
#15 of 24

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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