Average
#6903 of 9,533 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
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Ana
#57 of 73
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,089 of 5,817
In district
#40 of 51
Santa Ana Unified
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Taft Elementary
Taft Elementary is a regular public school in Santa Ana, California, serving kindergarten through sixth grade students. With an enrollment of 400 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, Taft Elementary ensures that each child receives individual attention from its dedicated staff of 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in the heart of a large city, Taft Elementary offers a diverse community environment where students can engage with their peers and local neighborhood.
While Taft Elementary's academic performance currently ranks in the lower half of California’s schools, the school is focusing on student development and growth. Test scores show that 16% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, and 13% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where additional support and resources might be beneficial. Taft Elementary sits at the center of a bustling urban community in Santa Ana, providing students with opportunities to connect with their neighborhood and learn from the diverse surroundings.
Score Breakdown
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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 14 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: 5.4/10.
How Taft Elementary Compares
See how Taft Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12.96% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 13.74% (2024).
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. Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRONTIERS ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Costa Mesa), 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 | 6.7 |
| Saddleback High Santa Ana | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| FRONTIERS ACADEMY Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Frontiers Academy Costa Mesa | 1.1 mi | — |
| Jefferson Elementary Santa Ana | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| MARINERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Costa Mesa | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| California Pacific Charter - San Diego Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| California Pacific Charter- Los Angeles Costa Mesa | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Washington Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Manuel Esqueda Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Monroe Elementary Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Orange County Special Education Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| ACCESS County Community Costa Mesa | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Greenville Fundamental Elementary Santa Ana | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Cesar E. Chavez High Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Segerstrom High Santa Ana | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| McFadden Institute of Technology Santa Ana | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Thomas A. Edison Elementary Santa Ana | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Jim Thorpe Fundamental Santa Ana | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Taft Elementary has a median household income of $99,491. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $635,600, with a median rent of $2,141/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary Alamo, CA | 5.4 |
| Alexander Rose Elementary Milpitas, CA | 5.4 |
| April Lane Elementary Yuba City, CA | 5.4 |
| August Elementary Stockton, CA | 5.4 |
| Beckman Elementary Lodi, CA | 5.4 |
| Briarwood Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #6903 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Taft Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Taft Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Taft Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft Elementary has 13.4% math proficiency and 16.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Ana). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (714) 431-7700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Ana Unified- District Enrollment
- 38,031
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,309
- District Rank
- #40 of 51
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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