Average
#4722 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 50% in state
Pepper Drive Elementary
Elementary School · Santee
1935 Marlinda Way, EL Cajon, CA 92020
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Cajon
#8 of 38
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,907 of 5,817
In district
#7 of 9
Santee
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Pepper Drive Elementary
Pepper Drive Elementary is a regular public school located in El Cajon, California, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 655 students and a student-teacher ratio of 25.2:1, the school aims to provide a supportive learning environment with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Pepper Drive Elementary reflects areas for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1/10 and a state ranking of #3787 out of 9566 schools in California (placing it around the 60th percentile).
Students perform better in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, with 52% achieving proficiency or above, compared to math where only 38% are proficient. Pepper Drive Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, offering its students access to a variety of community resources while maintaining the intimacy and support characteristic of a smaller neighborhood school.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Pepper Drive Elementary is 25.2:1, 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
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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 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Pepper Drive Elementary Compares
See how Pepper Drive Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 35.79% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 53.02% (2024).
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. Hill Creek Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Santee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kidinnu Academy (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Johnson Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 3.5 |
| PEPPER VALLEY LEARNING CENTER El Cajon | 1.3 mi | — |
| Altus Schools East County San Diego | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Winter Gardens Elementary Lakeside | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Naranca Elementary El Cajon | 1.6 mi | 3.4 |
| W. D. Hall Elementary El Cajon | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Kidinnu Academy El Cajon | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Hill Creek Elementary Santee | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Saint Kieran Catholic School El Cajon | 1.7 mi | — |
| Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Bostonia Global El Cajon | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| ST KIERAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Riverview Elementary Lakeside | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| El Cajon Valley High El Cajon | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Chaparral High El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| MERIT Academy La Mesa | 1.7 mi | 3.7 |
| IDEA Center El Cajon | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| River Valley Charter Lakeside | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Greenfield Middle El Cajon | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Johnson Elementary El Cajon | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pepper Drive Elementary has a median household income of $72,822. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $741,600, with a median rent of $1,793/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA | 6.4 |
| Academia Moderna Walnut Park, CA | 6.4 |
| Alameda Elementary Downey, CA | 6.4 |
| Allen Avenue Elementary San Dimas, CA | 6.4 |
| Anderson Elementary Compton, CA | 6.4 |
| Bahia Vista Elementary San Rafael, CA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #4722 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pepper Drive Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pepper Drive Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Pepper Drive Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pepper Drive Elementary has 37.9% math proficiency and 51.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,952/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Cajon). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 956-5100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santee- District Enrollment
- 6,159
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,555
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
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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