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Needs Improvement

#9332 of 9,539 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

2.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,332 of 9,539

In EL Cajon

#33 of 38

public schools

In district

#20 of 24

Cajon Valley Union

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Meridian Elementary

2.9/10

Elementary School in EL Cajon · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Christian Elementary School - West Campus

4.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Montgomery Middle

3.7/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Meridian Elementary

Meridian Elementary is a public elementary school in EL Cajon, CA, part of Cajon Valley Union. Meridian Elementary serves approximately 572 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 26:1 student-teacher ratio. Meridian Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #9,332 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Meridian Elementary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Meridian Elementary runs 26:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

31% of students at Meridian Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-30.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,982
Chronic Absenteeism30.9%

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 34.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 35.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
59%
ELA
49%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
44%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
53%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
24%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
20.4%
ELA
28.7%
2024
Math
14.7%
ELA
20.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.

How Meridian Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.7/10, 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 3.7
REACH Academy La Mesa 0.6 mi
Elite Academy El Cajon 0.7 mi 5.1
Madison Avenue Elementary El Cajon 0.8 mi 3.4
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 5.4
Diego Valley East Public Charter El Cajon 1.0 mi 3.9
EL CAJON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Cajon 1.0 mi 5.0
Lexington Elementary El Cajon 1.0 mi 3.7
TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN El Cajon 1.3 mi
Bostonia Global El Cajon 1.5 mi 2.8
Greenfield Middle El Cajon 1.5 mi 4.1
Anza Elementary El Cajon 1.3 mi 3.4
Kidinnu Academy El Cajon 1.5 mi 8.7
CHASE RANCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL El Cajon 1.4 mi
El Cajon Valley High El Cajon 1.4 mi 4.4
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bel Air Elementary Bay Point, CA 2.9
Cameron Ranch Elementary Carmichael, CA 2.9
Carmichael (Bessie)/FEC San Francisco, CA 2.9
Cimarron Elementary Palmdale, CA 2.9
Eagle Ranch Elementary Adelanto, CA 2.9
Eliot Elementary Gilroy, CA 2.9

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 ranks #9,332 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Meridian Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Meridian Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Meridian Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Meridian Elementary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.9%

District

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

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