Needs Improvement
#9299 of 9,539 schools in CA
Rancho Elementary
Elementary School · La Mesa-Spring Valley
4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,299 of 9,539
In La Mesa
#26 of 27
public schools
In district
#21 of 22
La Mesa-Spring Valley
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Rancho Elementary
Elementary School in La Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
True Faith Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Freese Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rancho Elementary
Rancho Elementary is a public elementary school in La Mesa, CA, part of La Mesa-Spring Valley. Rancho Elementary serves approximately 356 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Rancho Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #9,299 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Rancho Elementary show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Rancho Elementary runs 22.2:1 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.
45% of students at Rancho Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rancho Elementary — Students at Rancho Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 38 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: 2.2/10.
How Rancho Elementary Compares
See how Rancho Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rancho Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Keiller Leadership Academy (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freese Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| True Faith Academy San Diego | 0.5 mi | — |
| Freese Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Sci Tech Engr Arts and Math Acad at La Presa Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Avondale Elementary La Mesa | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Kempton Street Literacy Academy La Mesa | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Audubon K-8 San Diego | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Mount Miguel High Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Boone Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| La Presa Elementary Spring Valley | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Monterey Heights Elementary Lemon Grove | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Bancroft Elementary La Mesa | 1.8 mi | 2.8 |
| Bell Middle San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Keiller Leadership Academy San Diego | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Mt. Vernon Elementary Lemon Grove | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center Lemon Grove | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Fulton K-8 San Diego | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Sunnyside Elementary Bonita | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Take wing high school Spring Valley | 2.1 mi | — |
| Morse High San Diego | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Zamorano Elementary San Diego | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,607
Median Home Value
$884,800
Median Rent
$2,067/mo
Population
33,706
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
41.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Arts & Sciences Academy Stockton, CA | 3.0 |
| Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy Oakland, CA | 3.0 |
| Cleo Gordon Elementary Fairfield, CA | 3.0 |
| El Rio Community Los Angeles, CA | 3.0 |
| Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose, CA | 3.0 |
| Glen View Elementary Gilroy, CA | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rancho Elementary
What grades does Rancho Elementary serve?
Rancho Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Rancho Elementary?
Rancho Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rancho Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Rancho Elementary is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rancho Elementary rank in CA?
Rancho Elementary ranks #9,299 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Rancho Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rancho Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Rancho Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rancho Elementary has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Rancho Elementary a charter school?
No, Rancho Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rancho Elementary a Title I school?
No, Rancho Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rancho Elementary?
71.9% of students at Rancho 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 356
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 45.2%
- Phone
- (619) 668-5885
Resources & Links
District
La Mesa-Spring Valley- District Enrollment
- 10,684
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,802
- District Rank
- #21 of 22
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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