Needs Improvement
#9110 of 9,539 schools in CA
Taft Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Ana Unified
500 West Keller, Santa Ana, CA 92707
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,110 of 9,539
In Santa Ana
#71 of 73
public schools
In district
#49 of 51
Santa Ana Unified
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Taft Elementary
Elementary School in Santa Ana · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Francis Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Douglas Macarthur Fundamental Intermediate
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Taft Elementary
Taft Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Ana, CA, part of Santa Ana Unified. Taft Elementary serves approximately 400 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Taft Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #9,110 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Taft Elementary show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Taft 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Taft Elementary — Students at Taft Elementary score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 38 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: 1.5/10.
How Taft Elementary Compares
See how Taft Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
500 West Keller, Santa Ana, CA 92707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Taft Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FRONTIERS ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Costa Mesa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas A. Edison Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Ana, see our Santa Ana schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Francis Academy Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | — |
| Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate Santa Ana | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Saddleback High Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| FRONTIERS ACADEMY Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Frontiers Academy Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | — |
| Jefferson Elementary Santa Ana | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| MARINERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Washington Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Manuel Esqueda Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Monroe Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Orange County Special Education Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| ACCESS County Community Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Greenville Fundamental Elementary Santa Ana | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Cesar E. Chavez High Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Segerstrom High Santa Ana | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| McFadden Institute of Technology Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Thomas A. Edison Elementary Santa Ana | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Jim Thorpe Fundamental Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,491
Median Home Value
$635,600
Median Rent
$2,141/mo
Population
59,213
College Educated
16.8%
Homeownership
48.6%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
32.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA | 3.4 |
| Adams Elementary Stockton, CA | 3.4 |
| Antelope Elementary Littlerock, CA | 3.4 |
| Aspire Gateway Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 3.4 |
| Bridge Street Elementary Yuba City, CA | 3.4 |
| Carroll Fowler Elementary Ceres, CA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Taft Elementary
What grades does Taft Elementary serve?
Taft Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Taft Elementary?
Taft Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Taft Elementary rank in CA?
Taft Elementary ranks #9,110 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Taft Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Taft 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 Taft Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Taft Elementary has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Taft Elementary a charter school?
No, Taft Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Taft Elementary a Title I school?
No, Taft Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Taft Elementary?
76.8% of students at Taft 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 400
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Orange County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.0%
- Phone
- (714) 431-7700
Resources & Links
District
Santa Ana Unified- District Enrollment
- 38,031
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,309
- District Rank
- #49 of 51
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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