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Needs Improvement

#9075 of 9,539 schools in CA

Rios Elementary

Elementary School · Cajon Valley Union

14314 Rios Canyon Rd., EL Cajon, CA 92021

Enrollment

261

Student-Teacher

23.7:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,075 of 9,539

In EL Cajon

#29 of 38

public schools

In district

#17 of 24

Cajon Valley Union

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Rios Elementary

3.4/10

Elementary School in EL Cajon · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lakeview Elementary

7.4/10

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

Blossom Valley Elementary

7.6/10

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

About Rios Elementary

Rios Elementary is a public elementary school in EL Cajon, CA, part of Cajon Valley Union. Rios Elementary serves approximately 261 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Rios Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #9,075 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Rios Elementary show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Rios Elementary runs 23.7:1 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.

Rios Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

37% of students at Rios 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 Data12
Annual Change-2.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,982
Chronic Absenteeism36.8%

Rios Elementary — Students at Rios Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 37.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
57%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
18.5%
ELA
29.3%
2024
Math
24.5%
ELA
23.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.

How Rios Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in CA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

14314 Rios Canyon Rd., EL Cajon, CA 92021

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rios Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverview Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Lakeside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blossom Valley Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shadow Hills Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Cajon, see our EL Cajon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Lakeview Elementary Lakeside 1.8 mi 7.4
Blossom Valley Elementary El Cajon 2.1 mi 7.6
Crest Elementary El Cajon 2.5 mi 2.6
Tierra del Sol Middle Lakeside 2.4 mi 6.4
Lindo Park Elementary Lakeside 2.7 mi 3.6
Lemon Crest Elementary Lakeside 2.9 mi 4.6
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-EAST CAMPUS El Cajon 3.3 mi 4.7
Christian Elementary East El Cajon 3.3 mi
Christian Junior/Senior High School El Cajon 3.3 mi
El Capitan High Lakeside 3.2 mi 5.2
VBA Center for Behavior Change Lakeside 3.1 mi
Right to Dream Academy San Diego El Cajon 3.8 mi
Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine 3.3 mi 4.0
Shadow Hills Elementary Alpine 3.3 mi 7.6
Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine 3.3 mi 5.6
Los Coches Creek Middle El Cajon 3.4 mi 6.0
Winter Gardens Elementary Lakeside 3.4 mi 3.5
Riverview Elementary Lakeside 3.5 mi 7.8
Granite Hills High El Cajon 3.8 mi 5.4
W. D. Hall Elementary El Cajon 3.6 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,979

Median Home Value

$572,000

Median Rent

$1,818/mo

Population

69,306

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

52.7%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

36

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Antelope Elementary Littlerock, CA 3.4
Aspire Gateway Academy Charter Oakland, CA 3.4
Bess Maxwell Elementary Crescent City, CA 3.4
Hollywood Park Elementary Sacramento, CA 3.4
North Fork Elementary North Fork, CA 3.4
Riviera Elementary Kelseyville, CA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rios Elementary

What grades does Rios Elementary serve?

Rios Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Rios Elementary?

Rios Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rios Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rios Elementary is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rios Elementary rank in CA?

Rios Elementary ranks #9,075 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Rios Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rios Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Rios Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rios Elementary has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Rios Elementary a charter school?

No, Rios Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rios Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rios Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rios Elementary?

76.6% of students at Rios 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.8%

District

Cajon Valley Union
District Enrollment
15,607
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,982
District Rank
#17 of 24

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