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Below Average

#7927 of 9,533 schools in CA

Potrero Elementary

Elementary School · Mountain Empire Unified

24875 Potrero Valley Rd., Potrero, CA 91963

Enrollment

289

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#4,703 of 5,817

In district

#3 of 7

Mountain Empire Unified

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Potrero Elementary

Potrero Elementary is a rural public school located in the charming Potrero Valley, offering education to Kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 289 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, the school provides a relatively small classroom setting that allows for more personalized attention. The faculty comprises 14 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Academically, Potrero Elementary is working on enhancing its performance, particularly in English Language Arts and Math, where proficiency rates are currently 13% and 10%, respectively. While the school ranks lower compared to others in California, it is actively focusing on student development and growth. The setting of Potrero Valley offers a peaceful backdrop for learning and community engagement.

Potrero Elementary is nestled in a tight-knit rural area where students benefit from a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Potrero Elementary is 20.6:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Potrero Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11.6%
Math vs. State Avg-37 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.2 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-19.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,631

Potrero Elementary — Students at Potrero Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.6%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 13.2%
School
State
45.4%

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
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
8.7%
ELA
10.6%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Potrero Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

24875 Potrero Valley Rd., Potrero, CA 91963

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Potrero Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shadow Hills Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. Another option is Descanso Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Descanso), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Heights Charter (rated 6.1/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Potrero, see our Potrero schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Tecate Christian Tecate 2.5 mi
HIGHLEVEL LLC San Diego 4.7 mi
Campo Elementary Campo 7.7 mi 3.5
Risen K=12 Campo 9.0 mi
Mountain Empire High Pine Valley 11.0 mi 5.7
Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley 11.0 mi 4.7
Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley 15.3 mi
Hillside Junior/Senior High Pine Valley 15.3 mi 4.5
JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley 15.4 mi 6.0
Descanso Elementary Descanso 17.2 mi 6.9
Boulder Oaks Elementary Alpine 17.3 mi 4.0
The Heights Charter Alpine 17.6 mi 6.1
Jamul Elementary Jamul 16.2 mi 3.7
Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine 17.5 mi 5.3
Greater San Diego Academy Jamul 16.4 mi 5.5
Oak Grove Middle Jamul 16.5 mi 4.3
Alpine Farm Academy Alpine 18.4 mi
Dehesa Elementary El Cajon 18.2 mi 5.7
Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine 19.4 mi 3.0
Shadow Hills Elementary Alpine 19.4 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91963 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$25,208

Population

617

College Educated

24.9%

Homeownership

60.7%

Poverty Rate

49.3%

Median Age

28.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Potrero Elementary has a median household income of $25,208. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 49.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Astronaut Jose' M. Hernandez Academy Stockton, CA 4.8
Bryant Elementary Riverside, CA 4.8
Caroline Wenzel Elementary Sacramento, CA 4.8
Del Valle Elementary La Puente, CA 4.8
Handy Elementary Orange, CA 4.8
Hickman Elementary Hickman, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Potrero Elementary

What grades does Potrero Elementary serve?

Potrero Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Potrero Elementary?

Potrero Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 289 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Potrero Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Potrero Elementary is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Potrero Elementary rank in CA?

Potrero Elementary is ranked #7927 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Potrero Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Potrero Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Potrero Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Potrero Elementary has 9.6% math proficiency and 13.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Potrero Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Potrero Elementary a Title I school?

No, Potrero Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

79.9% of students at Potrero 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

County Safety
Low (114/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mountain Empire Unified
District Enrollment
1,871
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,531
District Rank
#3 of 7

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

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