Needs Improvement
#9318 of 9,539 schools in CA
W. R. Nelson Elementary
Elementary School · Tustin Unified
300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,318 of 9,539
In Tustin
#25 of 26
public schools
In district
#27 of 28
Tustin Unified
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W. R. Nelson Elementary
Elementary School in Tustin · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Occs:chep/pchs
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About W. R. Nelson Elementary
W. R. Nelson Elementary is a public elementary school in Tustin, CA, part of Tustin Unified.
W. R. Nelson Elementary serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.7:1 student-teacher ratio.
W. R. Nelson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #9,318 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for W. R. Nelson Elementary show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
W. R. Nelson Elementary runs 25.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
W. R. Nelson Elementary — Students at W. R. Nelson Elementary score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.
How W. R. Nelson Elementary Compares
See how W. R. Nelson 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
300 South C St., Tustin, CA 92780
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W. R. Nelson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Heritage Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is College Park Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Irvine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CECILIA SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tustin, see our Tustin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OCCS:CHEP/PCHS Tustin | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary Tustin | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| RED HILL MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Tustin | 0.8 mi | — |
| Hillview High (Continuation) Tustin | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ST CECILIA SCHOOL Tustin | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| C. E. Utt Middle Tustin | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Sycamore Magnet Academy Tustin | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Tustin High Tustin | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Legacy Magnet Academy Tustin | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Tustin Connect Tustin | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Heritage Elementary Tustin | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| KIDDIE ACADEMY OF TUSTIN Tustin | 1.1 mi | — |
| Newport Avenue Preschool and Kindergarten Tustin | 1.3 mi | — |
| RED HILL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tustin | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Red Hill Lutheran Tustin | 1.3 mi | — |
| EDGEWOOD PREPRIMARY ACADEMY Tustin | 1.4 mi | — |
| Port View Preparatory - TUSTIN Tustin | 1.2 mi | — |
| Grace Global Vision Tustin | 1.5 mi | — |
| College Park Elementary Irvine | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Tustin Ranch Elementary Tustin | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92780 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$98,647
Median Home Value
$832,200
Median Rent
$2,211/mo
Population
54,495
College Educated
35.5%
Homeownership
45.8%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
35.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Arts & Sciences Academy Stockton, CA | 3.0 |
| Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy Oakland, CA | 3.0 |
| California Avenue Elementary Riverbank, CA | 3.0 |
| Cleo Gordon Elementary Fairfield, CA | 3.0 |
| Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose, CA | 3.0 |
| Glen View Elementary Gilroy, CA | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W. R. Nelson Elementary
What grades does W. R. Nelson Elementary serve?
W. R. Nelson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend W. R. Nelson Elementary?
W. R. Nelson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W. R. Nelson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at W. R. Nelson Elementary is 25.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W. R. Nelson Elementary rank in CA?
W. R. Nelson Elementary ranks #9,318 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is W. R. Nelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
W. R. Nelson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 W. R. Nelson Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, W. R. Nelson Elementary has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is W. R. Nelson Elementary a charter school?
No, W. R. Nelson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W. R. Nelson Elementary a Title I school?
No, W. R. Nelson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W. R. Nelson Elementary?
82.3% of students at W. R. Nelson 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Orange County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.0%
- Phone
- (714) 730-7536
Resources & Links
District
Tustin Unified- District Enrollment
- 21,600
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,477
- District Rank
- #27 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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