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Below Average

#8111 of 9,539 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

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,111 of 9,539

In district

#4 of 7

Mountain Empire Unified

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Potrero Elementary

4.4/10

Elementary School in Potrero · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tecate Christian

Nearby

2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

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4.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Potrero Elementary

Potrero Elementary is a public elementary school in Potrero, CA, part of Mountain Empire Unified. Potrero Elementary serves approximately 289 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Potrero Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #8,111 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Potrero Elementary show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Potrero Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Potrero Elementary runs 20.6:1 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.

Potrero Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency11.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-37 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.2 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-19.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,531
Chronic Absenteeism61.9%

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 17.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 17.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
22%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12.7%
ELA
17.2%
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: 6.0/10.

How Potrero Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
61.9%

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 7.6/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. Another option is The Heights Charter (rated 6.5/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Descanso Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Descanso), 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 3.7
Risen K=12 Campo 9.0 mi
Mountain Empire High Pine Valley 11.0 mi 5.5
Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley 11.0 mi 2.8
Sunrise High (Continuation) Pine Valley 15.3 mi
Hillside Junior/Senior High Pine Valley 15.3 mi 5.9
JCS - Pine Valley Pine Valley 15.4 mi 7.5
Descanso Elementary Descanso 17.2 mi 6.3
Boulder Oaks Elementary Alpine 17.3 mi 3.9
The Heights Charter Alpine 17.6 mi 6.5
Jamul Elementary Jamul 16.2 mi 5.1
Joan MacQueen Middle Alpine 17.5 mi 5.2
Greater San Diego Academy Jamul 16.4 mi 6.8
Oak Grove Middle Jamul 16.5 mi 4.3
Alpine Farm Academy Alpine 18.4 mi
Dehesa Elementary El Cajon 18.2 mi 6.2
Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine 19.4 mi 4.0
Shadow Hills Elementary Alpine 19.4 mi 7.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Achieve Charter School of Chico Chico, CA 4.4
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Thousand Oaks, CA 4.4
Belleview Elementary Porterville, CA 4.4
Brookside Elementary Willits, CA 4.4
Columbus Avenue Elementary Van Nuys, CA 4.4
Cyril Spinelli Elementary Antelope, CA 4.4

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 ranks #8,111 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Potrero Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Potrero Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Potrero Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Potrero Elementary has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
61.9%

District

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

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