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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.9%
Math vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,111

Murdock Elementary — Students at Murdock Elementary score 58% 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

43.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.0%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
68%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
50%
ELA
61.9%

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.

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in CA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

La Mesa-Spring Valley
District Enrollment
10,684
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,802
District Rank
#19 of 22

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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