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Average

#7144 of 9,539 schools in CA

Nichols Elementary

Elementary School · Oceanside Unified

4250 Old Grove Rd., Oceanside, CA 92057

Enrollment

526

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,144 of 9,539

In Oceanside

#21 of 28

public schools

In district

#17 of 23

Oceanside Unified

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Nichols Elementary

5.1/10

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

Scholarship Prep - Oceanside

7.9/10

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

Louise Foussat Elementary

3.3/10

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

About Nichols Elementary

Nichols Elementary is a public elementary school in Oceanside, CA, part of Oceanside Unified. Nichols Elementary serves approximately 526 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Nichols Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #7,144 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Nichols Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Nichols Elementary runs 23.9:1 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.

34% of students at Nichols 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 Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,136
Chronic Absenteeism33.7%

Nichols Elementary — Students at Nichols Elementary score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 41.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
51%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
33.1%
ELA
33.2%
2024
Math
32%
ELA
33.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Nichols Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in CA
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

Location

4250 Old Grove Rd., Oceanside, CA 92057

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nichols Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DISCOVERY ISLE (rated 8.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Scholarship Prep - Oceanside (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Empresa Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Vista), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oceanside, see our Oceanside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Scholarship Prep - Oceanside Oceanside 0.4 mi 7.9
Louise Foussat Elementary Oceanside 0.8 mi 3.3
Cesar Chavez Middle Oceanside 0.8 mi 5.9
Libby Elementary Oceanside 1.1 mi 7.2
El Camino High Oceanside 1.3 mi 6.1
PEPPERTREE MONTESSORI Oceanside 1.4 mi
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Oceanside 1.6 mi 6.4
Ivey Ranch Elementary Oceanside 1.5 mi 6.4
Pablo Tac School of the Arts Oceanside 1.7 mi 4.7
Pacific View Charter Oceanside 1.8 mi 5.7
Del Rio Elementary Oceanside 1.7 mi 5.5
Empresa Elementary Vista 1.9 mi 7.8
DISCOVERY ISLE Oceanside 2.3 mi 8.0
Alamosa Park Elementary Vista 1.9 mi 7.2
Roosevelt Middle Vista 2.0 mi 4.5
Bonsall West Elementary Oceanside 2.3 mi 6.3
Coastal Academy Charter Escondido 2.5 mi 8.3
Christa McAuliffe Elementary Oceanside 2.6 mi 4.8
TERI LEARNING ACADEMY Oceanside 2.5 mi 6.0
TERI, INC. THE COUNTRY SCHOOL Oceanside 2.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92057 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,421

Median Home Value

$691,900

Median Rent

$2,457/mo

Population

57,994

College Educated

32.2%

Homeownership

68.7%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

37.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ada Givens Elementary Merced, CA 5.1
Alcott Elementary Riverside, CA 5.1
Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA 5.1
Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley, CA 5.1
Alta Vista Elementary Porterville, CA 5.1
Antelope Meadows Elementary Antelope, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nichols Elementary

What grades does Nichols Elementary serve?

Nichols Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Nichols Elementary?

Nichols Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nichols Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Nichols Elementary is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nichols Elementary rank in CA?

Nichols Elementary ranks #7,144 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Nichols Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Nichols Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Nichols Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nichols Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Nichols Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Nichols Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

69.6% of students at Nichols 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
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

District

Oceanside Unified
District Enrollment
15,297
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,136
District Rank
#17 of 23

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