Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#9005 of 9,533 schools in CA

Pio Pico Elementary

Elementary School · Santa Ana Unified

931 West Highland, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Ana

#69 of 73

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,418 of 5,817

In district

#49 of 51

Santa Ana Unified

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Pio Pico Elementary

Pio Pico Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Santa Ana, California, serving kindergarten through seventh grade. With an enrollment of 447 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1, the school has 22 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large city, Pio Pico Elementary focuses on supporting its diverse community of learners with various educational needs.

The academic performance at Pio Pico Elementary indicates areas where improvements can be made, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #9269 out of 9566 schools in California (3rd percentile). The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 17%, while the Math proficiency rate stands at 13%. These numbers suggest that the school is working hard to enhance its academic programs and support its students as they grow.

Pio Pico Elementary is situated in an urban setting, reflecting the vibrant and dynamic community it serves.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pio Pico Elementary is 20.3:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.8%
Math vs. State Avg-32.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,952

Pio Pico Elementary — Students at Pio Pico Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.5%
School
State
37.7%
ELA Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
24%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
11.7%
ELA
14.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Pio Pico Elementary Compares

See how Pio Pico Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
6th percentile in CA
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

931 West Highland, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pio Pico Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monte Vista Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heroes Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Martin Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Ana, see our Santa Ana schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Lowell Elementary Santa Ana 0.1 mi 4.1
Martin Elementary Santa Ana 0.5 mi 7.2
Santa Ana High Santa Ana 0.5 mi 6.0
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Santa Ana 0.5 mi 5.8
Franklin Elementary Santa Ana 0.5 mi 3.2
Martin R. Heninger Elementary Santa Ana 0.6 mi 6.5
Julia C. Lathrop Intermediate Santa Ana 0.6 mi 6.3
Nova Academy Early College High Santa Ana 0.7 mi 5.5
Mater Dei High School Santa Ana 0.8 mi
ST ANNE SCHOOL Santa Ana 0.8 mi 5.1
George Washington Carver Elementary Santa Ana 0.9 mi 4.9
Heroes Elementary Santa Ana 1.0 mi 7.6
Edward B. Cole Academy Santa Ana 0.9 mi 6.3
Lorin Griset Academy Santa Ana 0.9 mi 6.4
Orange County Educational Arts Academy Santa Ana 1.1 mi 6.0
STORYBOOK PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Santa Ana 1.2 mi
STORYBOOK PRESCHOOL Santa Ana 1.2 mi
El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy Santa Ana 1.2 mi 5.6
Monte Vista Elementary Santa Ana 1.1 mi 7.7
OCSA Santa Ana 1.3 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,817

Median Home Value

$585,900

Median Rent

$1,922/mo

Population

62,223

College Educated

13.4%

Homeownership

48.7%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

34.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pio Pico Elementary has a median household income of $80,817. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $585,900, with a median rent of $1,922/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary Half Moon Bay, CA 3.9
Anderson Elementary Garden Grove, CA 3.9
Anna Kyle Elementary Fairfield, CA 3.9
Aspire Arts & Sciences Academy Stockton, CA 3.9
Aspire Gateway Academy Charter Oakland, CA 3.9
Aspire Titan Academy Oakland, CA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pio Pico Elementary

What grades does Pio Pico Elementary serve?

Pio Pico Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.

How many students attend Pio Pico Elementary?

Pio Pico Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pio Pico Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Pio Pico Elementary is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pio Pico Elementary rank in CA?

Pio Pico Elementary is ranked #9005 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pio Pico Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pio Pico Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Pio Pico Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pio Pico Elementary has 13.5% math proficiency and 17.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pio Pico Elementary a charter school?

No, Pio Pico Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pio Pico Elementary a Title I school?

No, Pio Pico Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pio Pico Elementary?

89.3% of students at Pio Pico 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,203/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Ana). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Ana Unified
District Enrollment
38,031
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,309
District Rank
#49 of 51

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 methodology

Related reading

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.