Average
#7616 of 9,533 schools in CA
Palmer Way
Elementary School · National Elementary
2900 Palmer St., National City, CA 91950
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In National City
#9 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,517 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 10
National Elementary
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Palmer Way
Palmer Way is an elementary school located in the suburban area of National City, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, Palmer Way has a student body of 415 students and employs 17 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 24.4:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.0 out of 10, with an academic score of 5.7/10, placing it at the 43rd percentile among California schools based on its state ranking of #5411 out of 9566.
In terms of test performance, Palmer Way has 43% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% proficient or above in Math. While these scores suggest there is room for academic growth, the school focuses on developing its students' skills and knowledge through supportive educational programs and resources. Palmer Way is situated in a large suburban area within San Diego County, offering a community environment that supports families and education alike.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer Way is 24.4:1, 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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Data not available for this school
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Palmer Way — Students at Palmer Way score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.4%
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: 3.4/10.
How Palmer Way Compares
See how Palmer Way performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 32.58% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 40.45% (2024).
Location
2900 Palmer St., National City, CA 91950
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmer Way may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nye Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ira Harbison (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rancho de la Nacion (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in National City, see our National City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy National City | 0.4 mi | — |
| Ira Harbison National City | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Granger Junior High National City | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Lincoln Acres National City | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Las Palmas National City | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| El Toyon Elementary National City | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Srinivasan School San Diego | 1.2 mi | — |
| Perry Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Nye Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| John A. Otis Elementary National City | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Valencia Park Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Olivewood National City | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Ingenuity Charter San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| The O'Farrell Charter San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Central Elementary National City | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91950 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,858
Median Home Value
$580,700
Median Rent
$1,600/mo
Population
57,173
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
35.2%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palmer Way has a median household income of $63,858. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $580,700, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 5.0 |
| Almond Acres Charter Academy Paso Robles, CA | 5.0 |
| Arovista Elementary Brea, CA | 5.0 |
| Aspire Rosa Parks Academy Oakland, CA | 5.0 |
| Barranca Elementary Covina, CA | 5.0 |
| Barstow Fine Arts Academy Barstow, CA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmer Way
What grades does Palmer Way serve?
Palmer Way serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Palmer Way?
Palmer Way has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer Way?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer Way is 24.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmer Way rank in CA?
Palmer Way is ranked #7616 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palmer Way's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer Way has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Palmer Way?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmer Way has 33.6% math proficiency and 42.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmer Way a charter school?
No, Palmer Way is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmer Way a Title I school?
No, Palmer Way is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmer Way?
75.4% of students at Palmer Way 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 (2,651/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (National City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 336-8900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
National Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,200
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,721
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
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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