Needs Improvement
#9306 of 9,533 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
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Mesa
#27 of 27
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,636 of 5,817
In district
#22 of 22
La Mesa-Spring Valley
About Rancho Elementary
Rancho Elementary is a public elementary school nestled in the suburban community of La Mesa, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, Rancho Elementary has an enrollment of 356 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.2:1, with 16 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's academic performance is currently at the lower end, with only 28% of students meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts/Reading and 21% achieving proficiency in Math.
Despite these challenges, Rancho Elementary remains committed to student development and provides a supportive environment for learning. Located in a large suburban area, Rancho Elementary benefits from its setting within the San Diego County region, offering opportunities for community engagement and resources that support educational growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Rancho Elementary is 22.2:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 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: 2.0/10.
How Rancho Elementary Compares
See how Rancho Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 18.02% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 24.85% (2024).
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. Mt. Vernon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Lemon Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freese Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Keiller Leadership Academy (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), 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 | 7.9 |
| Sci Tech Engr Arts and Math Acad at La Presa Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Avondale Elementary La Mesa | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Kempton Street Literacy Academy La Mesa | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Audubon K-8 San Diego | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Mount Miguel High Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Boone Elementary San Diego | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| La Presa Elementary Spring Valley | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Monterey Heights Elementary Lemon Grove | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Bancroft Elementary La Mesa | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Bell Middle San Diego | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Keiller Leadership Academy San Diego | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Mt. Vernon Elementary Lemon Grove | 2.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center Lemon Grove | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Fulton K-8 San Diego | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Sunnyside Elementary Bonita | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Take wing high school Spring Valley | 2.1 mi | — |
| Morse High San Diego | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Zamorano Elementary San Diego | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rancho Elementary has a median household income of $111,607. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $884,800, with a median rent of $2,067/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Arlington Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA | 3.4 |
| Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 3.4 |
| Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy Oakland, CA | 3.4 |
| August Schilling Elementary Newark, CA | 3.4 |
| Colfax Elementary Colfax, CA | 3.4 |
| Coyle Avenue Elementary Carmichael, CA | 3.4 |
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 is ranked #9306 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Rancho Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rancho Elementary has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Rancho Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rancho Elementary has 21.0% math proficiency and 27.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,806/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Mesa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 668-5885
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Mesa-Spring Valley- District Enrollment
- 10,684
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,802
- District Rank
- #22 of 22
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.