Skip to main content

Average

#638 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 36% of private schools

The Gillispie School

Elementary School

7380 GIRARD AVE, La Jolla, CA 92037

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

192

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In La Jolla

#6 of 9

public schools

California elementary schools

#356 of 1,102

About The Gillispie School

The Gillispie School serves 192 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the prestigious La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. This regular public elementary school maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.0:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where each child can receive personalized attention. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #276 out of 1,790 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 85th percentile among California schools.

This outstanding performance has earned The Gillispie School a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, reflecting the strong academic foundation it provides for young learners. Located at 7380 Girard Avenue, the school sits in the heart of an affluent and highly educated community where 74% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median household income of $136,601 and median home value of $1,839,900 reflect the area's commitment to educational excellence.

With a low poverty rate of 8.8%, the surrounding ZIP code of 92037 provides a stable, resource-rich environment that supports student success. The Gillispie School operates within this vibrant coastal community, offering elementary education in one of San Diego's most desirable neighborhoods.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 192 students, The Gillispie School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, The Gillispie School 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.

As a private school, The Gillispie School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$43,074
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$47,843
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.11x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
88%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$30.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 192 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Gillispie School compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in La Jolla, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
This School
vs
23.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
192
This School
vs
587
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 65.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 10.9% vs 0%
Asian 4.7% vs 0%
The Gillispie School La Jolla Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
The Gillispie School (this school) 6.7
La Jolla Elementary 6.3
Muirlands Middle 8.1
Bird Rock Elementary 6.0
Torrey Pines Elementary 7.7
Preuss School UCSD 7.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,124.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 52%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 192
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 65.6%
Two or More 18.2%
Hispanic 10.9%
Asian 4.7%
Pacific Islander 0.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

7380 GIRARD AVE, La Jolla, CA 92037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Gillispie School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAN DIEGO FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Torrey Pines Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, THE CHILDRENS SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in La Jolla, see our La Jolla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Gillispie School La Jolla 0.0 mi
LA JOLLA VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL La Jolla 0.1 mi
La Jolla Elementary La Jolla 0.1 mi 6.3
Stella Maris Academy La Jolla 0.3 mi
STELLA MARIS ACADEMY La Jolla 0.3 mi 7.2
La Jolla High La Jolla 0.4 mi 8.0
THE BISHOP'S SCHOOL La Jolla 0.4 mi 6.2
Bishop's School, The La Jolla 0.4 mi
DAY PREP La Jolla 0.5 mi 6.0
Muirlands Middle La Jolla 0.5 mi 8.1
THE CHILDRENS SCHOOL La Jolla 1.3 mi 7.5
The Evans School La Jolla 1.3 mi
ALL HALLOWS ACADEMY La Jolla 1.3 mi 6.8
All Hallows Academy La Jolla 1.4 mi
San Diego French-American School La Jolla 1.4 mi
SAN DIEGO FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL La Jolla 1.5 mi 7.7
Greenfield EDU La Jolla 1.8 mi
Bird Rock Elementary La Jolla 2.0 mi 6.0
Torrey Pines Elementary La Jolla 2.2 mi 7.7
Pacific Beach Elementary San Diego 2.4 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,822

Median Home Value

$1,857,800

Median Rent

$2,632/mo

Population

39,284

College Educated

75.6%

Homeownership

62%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Gillispie School has a median household income of $141,822. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,857,800, with a median rent of $2,632/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. 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
Antioch Charter Academy II Antioch, CA 6.7
Arrowhead Elementary San Bernardino, CA 6.7
BRISKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 6.7
BUNDY CANYON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wildomar, CA 6.7
Bandini Street Elementary San Pedro, CA 6.7
Benjamin Foxen Elementary Santa Maria, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Gillispie School

What grades does The Gillispie School serve?

The Gillispie School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend The Gillispie School?

The Gillispie School has an enrollment of approximately 192 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Gillispie School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Gillispie School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Gillispie School rank in CA?

The Gillispie School is ranked #638 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is The Gillispie School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Gillispie School has a composite rating of 6.7 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.

Is The Gillispie School a private school?

Yes, The Gillispie School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Gillispie School a religious school?

No, The Gillispie School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
192
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
173 days
Setting
Large City
County
SAN DIEGO
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.