Excellent
#423 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 4% in state
Thomas Paine Elementary
Elementary School · Garden Grove Unified
15792 Ward St., Garden Grove, CA 92843
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Garden Grove
#4 of 51
public schools
California elementary schools
#317 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 64
Garden Grove Unified
Equity
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas Paine Elementary
Thomas Paine Elementary is a public elementary school in Garden Grove, CA, part of the Garden Grove Unified. The school serves approximately 429 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.6th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 29 points above the state average and 73% in reading/language arts, 28 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $82,009, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What's said publicly about Thomas Paine Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Paine Elementary is 22.6:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Thomas Paine Elementary — Students at Thomas Paine Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Thomas Paine Elementary Compares
See how Thomas Paine Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 67.12% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 74.19% (2024).
Location
15792 Ward St., Garden Grove, CA 92843
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Paine Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John Marshall Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mamie L. Northcutt Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Fountain Valley), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ethan B. Allen Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Fountain Valley), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Garden Grove, see our Garden Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Quinta High Westminster | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| ST BARBARA SCHOOL Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| St. Barbara Elementary Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | — |
| ARI GUIRAGOS MINASSIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Susan B. Anthony Elementary Westminster | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| BETHEL BAPTIST SCHOOL Santa Ana | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Westminster | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| American Elite Education Westminster | 0.9 mi | — |
| Sarah McGarvin Intermediate Westminster | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Stephen R. Fitz Intermediate Santa Ana | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Heritage Elementary Santa Ana | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Post Elementary Westminster | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| James Monroe Elementary Fountain Valley | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Ethan B. Allen Elementary Fountain Valley | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| James Irvine Intermediate Garden Grove | 1.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Newhope Elementary Santa Ana | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| John Marshall Elementary Westminster | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Leo Carrillo Elementary Westminster | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Mamie L. Northcutt Elementary Fountain Valley | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| John Murdy Elementary Garden Grove | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92843 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,009
Median Home Value
$665,900
Median Rent
$1,878/mo
Population
46,553
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Paine Elementary has a median household income of $82,009. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $665,900, with a median rent of $1,878/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelante Charter Santa Barbara, CA | 8.7 |
| Alamo Elementary San Francisco, CA | 8.7 |
| Arminta Street Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 8.7 |
| Canalino Elementary Carpinteria, CA | 8.7 |
| Castille Elementary Mission Viejo, CA | 8.7 |
| Cerritos Elementary Anaheim, CA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Paine Elementary
What grades does Thomas Paine Elementary serve?
Thomas Paine Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Thomas Paine Elementary?
Thomas Paine Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 429 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Paine Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Paine Elementary is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Paine Elementary rank in CA?
Thomas Paine Elementary is ranked #423 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Thomas Paine Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Paine Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 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.
What are the test scores at Thomas Paine Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Paine Elementary has 66.9% math proficiency and 73.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Paine Elementary a charter school?
No, Thomas Paine Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Paine Elementary a Title I school?
No, Thomas Paine Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Paine Elementary?
79.7% of students at Thomas Paine 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
- Walk Score
- 48 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 41 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 70 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,050/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Garden Grove). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 429
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (714) 663-6118
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garden Grove Unified- District Enrollment
- 37,763
- Schools in District
- 66
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,026
- District Rank
- #6 of 64
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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