Average
#5822 of 9,533 schools in CA
Nichols Elementary
Elementary School · Oceanside Unified
4250 Old Grove Rd., Oceanside, CA 92057
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oceanside
#18 of 28
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,503 of 5,817
In district
#14 of 23
Oceanside Unified
About Nichols Elementary
Nichols Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the large suburban area of Oceanside, California. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Nichols Elementary has an enrollment of 526 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 23.9:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it in the 45th percentile among California schools based on its state ranking of #5272 out of 9,566 schools.
Academically, Nichols Elementary shows areas for improvement with 35% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 33% meeting proficiency standards in Math. The school is focused on student development and growth to help its young learners succeed. Nichols Elementary stands out as a community-focused institution within the suburban setting of Oceanside, California.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Nichols Elementary is 23.9:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Nichols Elementary — Students at Nichols Elementary score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 6.1/10.
How Nichols Elementary Compares
See how Nichols Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 32.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 33.75% (2024).
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. Libby Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pablo Tac School of the Arts (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DISCOVERY ISLE (rated 8.0/10, 2.3 miles away), 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 | 7.6 |
| Louise Foussat Elementary Oceanside | 0.8 mi | 3.1 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Oceanside | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Libby Elementary Oceanside | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| El Camino High Oceanside | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| PEPPERTREE MONTESSORI Oceanside | 1.4 mi | — |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Oceanside | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Ivey Ranch Elementary Oceanside | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Pablo Tac School of the Arts Oceanside | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Pacific View Charter Oceanside | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Del Rio Elementary Oceanside | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Empresa Elementary Vista | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| DISCOVERY ISLE Oceanside | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Alamosa Park Elementary Vista | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Roosevelt Middle Vista | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Bonsall West Elementary Oceanside | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Coastal Academy Charter Escondido | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Christa McAuliffe Elementary Oceanside | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nichols Elementary has a median household income of $106,421. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $691,900, with a median rent of $2,457/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelante Dual Language Academy San Jose, CA | 5.9 |
| Alamosa Park Elementary Vista, CA | 5.9 |
| Alcott Elementary Riverside, CA | 5.9 |
| Alexander Hamilton Elementary Stockton, CA | 5.9 |
| Arthur Hapgood Elementary Lompoc, CA | 5.9 |
| B. Gale Wilson Middle Fairfield, CA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #5822 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Nichols Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Nichols Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Nichols Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nichols Elementary has 32.8% math proficiency and 35.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,144/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oceanside). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 435-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oceanside Unified- District Enrollment
- 15,297
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,136
- District Rank
- #14 of 23
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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