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Average

#3825 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 40% in state

Riley/new Dawn

School · San Diego Unified

5650 Mt. Ackerly Dr., San Diego, CA 92111

Enrollment

164

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#136 of 288

public schools

California schools

#88 of 475

In district

#90 of 174

San Diego Unified

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Riley/new Dawn

Riley/New Dawn is a regular public school located in San Diego, California. Spanning from kindergarten through twelfth grade, the school serves a diverse group of 164 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention. The school's staff includes 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their students' growth and development.

While Riley/New Dawn has room for academic improvement—its MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10 and it ranks at the 36th percentile among California schools—the community values its commitment to fostering a nurturing environment where every student can thrive. The school's location in San Diego, a vibrant large city, offers students access to various cultural and educational resources beyond the classroom. Riley/New Dawn is situated amidst the dynamic energy of San Diego, making it an integral part of this thriving urban setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 164 students, Riley/new Dawn is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Riley/new Dawn are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Riley/new Dawn offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.2%
Math vs. State Avg-25.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,711

Riley/new Dawn — Students at Riley/new Dawn score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 8.6%
School
State
33.1%
ELA Proficiency 16.9%
School
State
48.3%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
8.8%
ELA
17.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Riley/new Dawn Compares

See how Riley/new Dawn performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in CA
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

5650 Mt. Ackerly Dr., San Diego, CA 92111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riley/new Dawn may also want to explore other schools in the area. Mt. Everest Academy (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN ACADEMY (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BRIGHT HORIZON ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Child's Primary, The San Diego 0.2 mi
THE CHILD'S PRIMARY SCHOOL San Diego 0.2 mi 7.2
High Tech Elementary Mesa San Diego 0.5 mi 4.1
High Tech Middle Mesa San Diego 0.5 mi 6.6
High Tech High Mesa San Diego 0.5 mi 6.8
SCY HIGH (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL) San Diego 0.5 mi 6.1
Southern California Yeshiva High School San Diego 0.5 mi
San Diego Metro Career and Tech San Diego 0.6 mi 7.9
Holmes Elementary San Diego 0.6 mi 8.8
Mt. Everest Academy San Diego 0.9 mi 8.5
Clairemont Canyons Academy San Diego 0.8 mi 8.8
Kavod Charter San Diego 1.0 mi 7.8
SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN ACADEMY San Diego 1.0 mi 7.6
San Diego Center for Children Academy San Diego 1.0 mi
Linda Vista Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 4.8
Ross Elementary San Diego 1.0 mi 7.1
BRIGHT HORIZON ACADEMY San Diego 1.1 mi 6.8
JAPANESE ACADEMY OF SAN DIEGO San Diego 1.1 mi
COASTAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego 1.3 mi 5.3
Sequoia Elementary San Diego 1.4 mi 9.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,081

Median Home Value

$754,300

Median Rent

$2,049/mo

Population

45,888

College Educated

43.4%

Homeownership

53.1%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Riley/new Dawn has a median household income of $95,081. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $754,300, with a median rent of $2,049/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
El Dorado Co Office of Ed Special Ed Programs Placerville, CA 6.8
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Huntington Beach, CA 6.8
Northern Summit Academy Shasta Anderson, CA 6.8
OAK GROVE SCHOOL Ojai, CA 6.8
Orchard View Sebastopol, CA 6.8
ST HELENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL AND FARM Saint Helena, CA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riley/new Dawn

What grades does Riley/new Dawn serve?

Riley/new Dawn serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Riley/new Dawn?

Riley/new Dawn has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Riley/new Dawn?

The student-teacher ratio at Riley/new Dawn is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riley/new Dawn rank in CA?

Riley/new Dawn is ranked #3825 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Riley/new Dawn's MySchoolScout rating?

Riley/new Dawn has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Riley/new Dawn?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riley/new Dawn has 8.6% math proficiency and 16.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Riley/new Dawn a charter school?

No, Riley/new Dawn is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Riley/new Dawn a Title I school?

No, Riley/new Dawn is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Riley/new Dawn?

75.0% of students at Riley/new Dawn 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

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 – 12th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.0%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Large City
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Diego Unified
District Enrollment
95,492
Schools in District
175
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,828
District Rank
#90 of 174

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 methodology

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