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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

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

3.0/10

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

True Faith Academy

Nearby

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

Freese Elementary

7.6/10

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).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • 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 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-27.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802
Chronic Absenteeism45.2%

Rancho Elementary — Students at Rancho Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 40.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 38 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
67%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
19.4%
ELA
39.6%
2024
Math
17.9%
ELA
24.6%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Rancho Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.2%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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%

District

La Mesa-Spring Valley
District Enrollment
10,684
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,802
District Rank
#21 of 22

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