Average
#6273 of 9,539 schools in CA
Palmer Way
Elementary School · National Elementary
2900 Palmer St., National City, CA 91950
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,273 of 9,539
In National City
#2 of 15
public schools
In district
#2 of 10
National Elementary
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Palmer Way
Elementary School in National City · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Faithful Ambassadors Bible Baptist Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ira Harbison
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Palmer Way
Palmer Way is a public elementary school in National City, CA, part of National Elementary. Palmer Way serves approximately 415 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmer Way has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,273 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Palmer Way show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Palmer Way runs 24.4:1 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.
37% of students at Palmer Way 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 32 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: 4.8/10.
How Palmer Way Compares
See how Palmer Way performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Toyon Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Valencia Park Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), with a very similar rating. 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 | 4.8 |
| Granger Junior High National City | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Lincoln Acres National City | 0.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Las Palmas National City | 0.7 mi | 3.8 |
| San Diego Workforce Innovation High National City | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| El Toyon Elementary National City | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Rancho de la Nacion National City | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Srinivasan School San Diego | 1.2 mi | — |
| Perry Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Nye Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Knox Middle San Diego | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| John A. Otis Elementary National City | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Valencia Park Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Olivewood National City | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Ingenuity Charter San Diego | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| The O'Farrell Charter San Diego | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Central Elementary National City | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aliso Elementary Carpinteria, CA | 5.6 |
| Anderson Heights Elementary Anderson, CA | 5.6 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Redding, CA | 5.6 |
| Camino Elementary Camino, CA | 5.6 |
| Carmela Elementary Whittier, CA | 5.6 |
| Cielo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 5.6 |
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 ranks #6,273 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Palmer Way's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer Way has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Palmer Way?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmer Way has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (619) 336-8900
Resources & Links
District
National Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,200
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,721
- District Rank
- #2 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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