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
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Potrero Elementary — Students at Potrero Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 5.0/10.
How Potrero Elementary Compares
See how Potrero Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 8.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 11.56% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (619) 478-5930
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mountain Empire Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,871
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,531
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.