Below Average
#8211 of 9,533 schools in CA
Murdock Elementary
Elementary School · La Mesa-Spring Valley
4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Mesa
#23 of 27
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,873 of 5,817
In district
#19 of 22
La Mesa-Spring Valley
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Murdock Elementary
Murdock Elementary serves 617 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in La Mesa, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1 and 26 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school earns a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide, placing #2065 among California's 9,566 elementary schools. Academically, Murdock Elementary demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 8.2 out of 10.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 62% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics shows 50% proficiency rates, indicating opportunities for continued growth in this subject area. The school sits within the 91941 ZIP code area, a community characterized by economic stability and educational attainment. Families in this neighborhood typically enjoy a median household income of $107,055, with 45% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 8.7%, and median home values of $842,300 reflect the desirability of this large suburban community of 33,602 residents. Murdock Elementary operates in this well-established La Mesa neighborhood, serving families who value educational achievement in a stable suburban environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Murdock Elementary is 23.7:1, 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
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Murdock Elementary — Students at Murdock Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.3%
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: 2.2/10.
How Murdock Elementary Compares
See how Murdock Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 52.24% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62.92% (2024).
Location
4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murdock Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lemon Avenue Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sparrow Academy (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Casa de Oro Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Valley Academy Spring Valley | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| SANTA SOPHIA ACADEMY Spring Valley | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Santa Sophia Academy Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | — |
| Elevation of Wolves Academy Spring Valley | 1.2 mi | — |
| Casa de Oro Elementary La Mesa | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Heartland Christian Homeschool Center, Inc. Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | — |
| Fred Finch Youth Center Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | — |
| College Preparatory Middle Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| FRED FINCH YOUTH CENTER NONPUBLIC SCHOOL Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | — |
| Grossmont High La Mesa | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Highlands Elementary La Mesa | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| MONTESSORI ACHIEVEMENT CENTRE Spring Valley | 1.5 mi | — |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spring Valley | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Lemon Avenue Elementary La Mesa | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| WARREN-WALKER SCHOOL-LA MESA La Mesa | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Monte Vista High Spring Valley | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Avocado Elementary La Mesa | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Sparrow Academy La Mesa | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| EJE Elementary Academy Charter El Cajon | 1.9 mi | 2.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,607
Median Home Value
$884,800
Median Rent
$2,067/mo
Population
33,706
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
41.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Murdock Elementary has a median household income of $111,607. 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 $884,800, with a median rent of $2,067/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| Barry Elementary Yuba City, CA | 4.6 |
| Beaumont Elementary Vista, CA | 4.6 |
| Blossom Valley Elementary El Cajon, CA | 4.6 |
| Bonita Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 4.6 |
| CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-EAST CAMPUS El Cajon, CA | 4.6 |
| Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio, CA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murdock Elementary
What grades does Murdock Elementary serve?
Murdock Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Murdock Elementary?
Murdock Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 617 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murdock Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Murdock Elementary is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Murdock Elementary rank in CA?
Murdock Elementary is ranked #8211 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Murdock Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Murdock Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Murdock Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murdock Elementary has 53.0% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murdock Elementary a charter school?
No, Murdock Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murdock Elementary a Title I school?
No, Murdock Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murdock Elementary?
43.3% of students at Murdock 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 (1,806/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Mesa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 617
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 668-5775
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Mesa-Spring Valley- District Enrollment
- 10,684
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,802
- District Rank
- #19 of 22
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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