Below Average
#8629 of 9,533 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
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tustin
#24 of 26
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,142 of 5,817
In district
#26 of 28
Tustin Unified
About W. R. Nelson Elementary
W. R. Nelson Elementary is a public elementary school nestled in the heart of Tustin, California, in Orange County.
Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 463 students and employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 25.7:1. Despite its modest MySchoolScout Rating of 3.1 out of 10, W. R.
Nelson Elementary is dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment focused on student development and growth. The school's state ranking of #8528 out of 9566 schools in California indicates there’s room for improvement, particularly in academic performance with ELA proficiency at 30% and math proficiency at 24%. Situated in the middle of a small city, W.
R. Nelson Elementary is part of a close-knit community where students can easily access local resources and engage with their neighbors.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at W. R. Nelson Elementary is 25.7:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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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 10 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: 4.4/10.
How W. R. Nelson Elementary Compares
See how W. R. Nelson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 23.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 27.51% (2024).
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. College Park Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Irvine), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST CECILIA SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Heritage Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 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 | 5.2 |
| Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary Tustin | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| RED HILL MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Tustin | 0.8 mi | — |
| Hillview High (Continuation) Tustin | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| ST CECILIA SCHOOL Tustin | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| C. E. Utt Middle Tustin | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Sycamore Magnet Academy Tustin | 0.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Tustin High Tustin | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Legacy Magnet Academy Tustin | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Tustin Connect Tustin | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Heritage Elementary Tustin | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 7.9 |
| Tustin Ranch Elementary Tustin | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding W. R. Nelson Elementary has a median household income of $98,647. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $832,200, with a median rent of $2,211/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Alta Loma Elementary Alta Loma, CA | 4.3 |
| Calpella Elementary Ukiah, CA | 4.3 |
| Creative Arts Charter San Francisco, CA | 4.3 |
| Crestview Elementary Lompoc, CA | 4.3 |
| Dana Gray Elementary Fort Bragg, CA | 4.3 |
| Earl Warren Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #8629 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is W. R. Nelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
W. R. Nelson Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 W. R. Nelson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W. R. Nelson Elementary has 24.1% math proficiency and 29.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,328/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tustin). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (714) 730-7536
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tustin Unified- District Enrollment
- 21,600
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,477
- District Rank
- #26 of 28
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.
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