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#5744 of 9,533 schools in CA

Saul Martinez Elementary

Elementary School · Coachella Valley Unified

65-705 Johnson St., Mecca, CA 92254

Enrollment

977

Student-Teacher

21.2:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mecca

#1 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#3,460 of 5,817

In district

#15 of 21

Coachella Valley Unified

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Saul Martinez Elementary

Saul Martinez Elementary serves 977 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Mecca, California. With 46 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.2 to 1, providing a manageable classroom environment for young learners. The school has room for academic growth, with 27% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 21% in mathematics.

Currently ranked in the 29th percentile among California elementary schools, Saul Martinez Elementary is focusing on student development and educational improvement initiatives. The school serves a predominantly working-class community where the median household income is $38,103 and median home values are $177,500. With only 2% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 17.4%, the school faces the challenge of supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds while building strong foundational skills.

Saul Martinez Elementary is positioned in Mecca, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Riverside County, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader regional resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Saul Martinez Elementary is 21.2:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,466

Saul Martinez Elementary — Students at Saul Martinez Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.5%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 26.9%
School
State
45.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
9%
ELA
21%
2024
Math
20.9%
ELA
26.9%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Saul Martinez Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in CA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

65-705 Johnson St., Mecca, CA 92254

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Saul Martinez Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peter Pendleton Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valle del Sol Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palm View Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mecca, see our Mecca schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Mecca Elementary Mecca 0.8 mi 4.2
Oasis Elementary Thermal 5.8 mi 4.6
Toro Canyon Middle Thermal 5.7 mi 6.4
Desert Mirage High Thermal 5.7 mi 5.8
Las Palmitas Elementary Thermal 5.7 mi 6.6
La Familia Continuation High Thermal 6.4 mi 6.1
John Kelley Elementary Thermal 6.6 mi 7.3
The Kingdom of Light Homeschool Thermal 6.5 mi
Valle del Sol Elementary Coachella 8.9 mi 8.4
Valley View Elementary Coachella 9.3 mi 6.9
Bobby Duke Middle Coachella 9.6 mi 7.5
Palm View Elementary Coachella 9.7 mi 8.1
Coachella Valley High Thermal 9.3 mi 5.7
Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella 9.8 mi 8.9
NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana 9.8 mi 4.4
Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella 10.7 mi 6.8
Coral Mountain Academy Coachella 10.6 mi 5.9
Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella 11.1 mi 4.7
Westside Elementary Thermal 10.8 mi 7.8
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella 11.5 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92254 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,464

Median Home Value

$206,900

Median Rent

$961/mo

Population

10,779

College Educated

3%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

32.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Saul Martinez Elementary has a median household income of $43,464. It is a community where 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,900, with a median rent of $961/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Alcott Elementary Riverside, CA 5.9
Alexander Hamilton Elementary Stockton, CA 5.9
Art Haycox Elementary Oxnard, CA 5.9
Arthur C. Butler Elementary Elk Grove, CA 5.9
Arthur Hapgood Elementary Lompoc, CA 5.9
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs, CA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Saul Martinez Elementary

What grades does Saul Martinez Elementary serve?

Saul Martinez Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Saul Martinez Elementary?

Saul Martinez Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 977 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Saul Martinez Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Saul Martinez Elementary is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Saul Martinez Elementary rank in CA?

Saul Martinez Elementary is ranked #5744 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Saul Martinez Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Saul Martinez Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Saul Martinez Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saul Martinez Elementary has 20.5% math proficiency and 26.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Saul Martinez Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Saul Martinez Elementary a Title I school?

No, Saul Martinez Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

94.4% of students at Saul Martinez 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (286/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
977
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Coachella Valley Unified
District Enrollment
16,046
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,412
District Rank
#15 of 21

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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