Below Average
#8374 of 9,533 schools in CA
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
3510 Newton Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#256 of 288
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,979 of 5,817
In district
#159 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of San Diego, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 419 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a large city setting, Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary offers its students a community-focused education environment.
The academic performance at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is currently rated 2.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 8916th school out of 9566 in California, placing it in the 7th percentile overall. In terms of specific subject areas, only 23% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while a smaller percentage at 17% achieve proficiency or better in math. While these numbers indicate room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is nestled within San Diego's vibrant city life, offering students access to diverse cultural and educational opportunities beyond its classrooms.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is 20.9:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary — Students at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.
How Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary Compares
See how Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 15.12% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 21.21% (2024).
Location
3510 Newton Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. King-Chavez Academy of Excellence (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain View (rated 7.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Golden Hill K-8 (rated 6.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain View San Diego | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Cristo Rey San Diego High School San Diego | 0.3 mi | — |
| CRISTO REY SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL San Diego | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Rodriguez Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Chavez Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Baker Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Balboa Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Logan Memorial Educational Campus San Diego | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| King-Chavez Primary Academy San Diego | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| King-Chavez Arts and Athletics Academy San Diego | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| King-Chavez Academy of Excellence San Diego | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Kimbrough Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| King-Chavez Preparatory Academy San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Burbank Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Integrity Charter National City | 1.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Golden Hill K-8 San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| MT ERIE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Mt. Erie Christian Academy San Diego | 1.4 mi | — |
| Chollas/Mead Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Central Elementary National City | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92113 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,177
Median Home Value
$559,100
Median Rent
$1,608/mo
Population
49,047
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
28.7%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
21.5%
Median Age
32
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary has a median household income of $59,177. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $559,100, with a median rent of $1,608/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 4.5 |
| Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory San Jose, CA | 4.5 |
| Antelope Elementary Littlerock, CA | 4.5 |
| Bonny View Elementary Redding, CA | 4.5 |
| Cambridge Elementary Concord, CA | 4.5 |
| Camino Elementary Camino, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary
What grades does Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary serve?
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary?
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary rank in CA?
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is ranked #8374 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary has 17.5% math proficiency and 23.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary a charter school?
No, Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary?
95.7% of students at Ralph Waldo Emerson 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 (2,092/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 419
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 344-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #159 of 174
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
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