Excellent
#1417 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 15% in state
Normal Heights Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
3750 Ward Rd., San Diego, CA 92116
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#53 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,008 of 5,817
In district
#37 of 174
San Diego Unified
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Normal Heights Elementary
Normal Heights Elementary serves 292 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Diego's well-established Normal Heights neighborhood. With 13 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1, providing a community-focused learning environment within the larger San Diego Unified School District. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #1660 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show strong literacy skills with 58% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 53% meet or exceed standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students build essential foundational skills during their elementary years. Normal Heights Elementary draws families from ZIP code 92116, a diverse urban community where 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $93,661.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 8.8% and median home values of $817,700 indicate a stable, education-focused community that values academic achievement. Located on Ward Road, the school sits in the heart of San Diego's vibrant Normal Heights district, where tree-lined streets and a strong sense of community create an ideal setting for elementary education.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Normal Heights Elementary is 22.5:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Normal Heights Elementary — Students at Normal Heights Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.
How Normal Heights Elementary Compares
See how Normal Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 53.54% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 58.59% (2024).
Location
3750 Ward Rd., San Diego, CA 92116
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Normal Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. San Diego Global Vision Academy (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Euclid Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Edison Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Adams Elementary San Diego | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| San Diego Global Vision Academy San Diego | 0.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Wilson Middle San Diego | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Central Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| ST DIDACUS SCHOOL San Diego | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Franklin Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Edison Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Health Sciences High and Middle College San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Cherokee Point Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Hoover High San Diego | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Children's Creative and Performing Arts Academy San Diego | 1.0 mi | — |
| Altus Schools Audeo San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Joyner Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Euclid Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Garfield Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE San Diego | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL San Diego | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Nazareth School of San Diego San Diego | 1.7 mi | — |
| Clark Middle San Diego | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92116 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,775
Median Home Value
$898,500
Median Rent
$1,903/mo
Population
31,484
College Educated
58.4%
Homeownership
32.1%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Normal Heights Elementary has a median household income of $95,775. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $898,500, with a median rent of $1,903/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary Chino, CA | 8.0 |
| Birdielee V. Bright Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
| Bixby Elementary Hacienda Heights, CA | 8.0 |
| Buena Vista Elementary Tulare, CA | 8.0 |
| Coastal Grove Charter Arcata, CA | 8.0 |
| Coliseum Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Normal Heights Elementary
What grades does Normal Heights Elementary serve?
Normal Heights Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Normal Heights Elementary?
Normal Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 292 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Normal Heights Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Normal Heights Elementary is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Normal Heights Elementary rank in CA?
Normal Heights Elementary is ranked #1417 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Normal Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Normal Heights Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Normal Heights Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Normal Heights Elementary has 52.6% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Normal Heights Elementary a charter school?
No, Normal Heights Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Normal Heights Elementary a Title I school?
No, Normal Heights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Normal Heights Elementary?
80.5% of students at Normal Heights 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
- Walk Score
- 88 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 47 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 74 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 292
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 584-6000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #37 of 174
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.