Below Average
#8253 of 9,539 schools in CA
Pepper Drive Elementary
Elementary School · Santee
1935 Marlinda Way, EL Cajon, CA 92020
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,253 of 9,539
In EL Cajon
#22 of 38
public schools
In district
#9 of 9
Santee
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Pepper Drive Elementary
Elementary School in EL Cajon · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Magnolia Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pepper Valley Learning Center
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pepper Drive Elementary
Pepper Drive Elementary is a public elementary school in EL Cajon, CA, part of Santee. Pepper Drive Elementary serves approximately 655 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 25.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Pepper Drive Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #8,253 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Pepper Drive Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 6.4
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Pepper Drive Elementary runs 25.2:1 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pepper Drive Elementary — Students at Pepper Drive Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 40 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.
How Pepper Drive Elementary Compares
See how Pepper Drive Elementary 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
1935 Marlinda Way, EL Cajon, CA 92020
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pepper Drive Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kidinnu Academy (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Riverview Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Lakeside), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hill Creek Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Santee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Cajon, see our EL Cajon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Elementary El Cajon | 0.9 mi | 2.0 |
| PEPPER VALLEY LEARNING CENTER El Cajon | 1.3 mi | — |
| Altus Schools East County San Diego | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Winter Gardens Elementary Lakeside | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Naranca Elementary El Cajon | 1.6 mi | 2.6 |
| W. D. Hall Elementary El Cajon | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Kidinnu Academy El Cajon | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Hill Creek Elementary Santee | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Saint Kieran Catholic School El Cajon | 1.7 mi | — |
| Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Bostonia Global El Cajon | 1.8 mi | 2.8 |
| ST KIERAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Riverview Elementary Lakeside | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| El Cajon Valley High El Cajon | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Chaparral High El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| MERIT Academy La Mesa | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| IDEA Center El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| River Valley Charter Lakeside | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Greenfield Middle El Cajon | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Johnson Elementary El Cajon | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,822
Median Home Value
$741,600
Median Rent
$1,793/mo
Population
58,490
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
43.1%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
36.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Indio, CA | 4.3 |
| Avocado Elementary La Mesa, CA | 4.3 |
| Aynesworth Elementary Fresno, CA | 4.3 |
| B. Gale Wilson Middle Fairfield, CA | 4.3 |
| Barton (Clara) Elementary Anaheim, CA | 4.3 |
| Bear Gulch Elementary Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pepper Drive Elementary
What grades does Pepper Drive Elementary serve?
Pepper Drive Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Pepper Drive Elementary?
Pepper Drive Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 655 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pepper Drive Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pepper Drive Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pepper Drive Elementary rank in CA?
Pepper Drive Elementary ranks #8,253 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Pepper Drive Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pepper Drive Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Pepper Drive Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pepper Drive Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Pepper Drive Elementary a charter school?
No, Pepper Drive Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pepper Drive Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pepper Drive Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pepper Drive Elementary?
50.5% of students at Pepper Drive 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 655
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.1%
- Phone
- (619) 956-5100
Resources & Links
District
Santee- District Enrollment
- 6,159
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,555
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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