Skip to main content

Below Average

#8443 of 9,533 schools in CA

William Saroyan Elementary

Elementary School · Central Unified

5650 West Escalon Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Enrollment

706

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fresno

#165 of 175

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,014 of 5,817

In district

#20 of 23

Central Unified

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Strong

About William Saroyan Elementary

William Saroyan Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Fresno, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 706 and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 25.2:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at William Saroyan Elementary shows that while 40% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 36% in math, there is room for improvement and growth in these areas.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranking in the 39th percentile among California schools, the school focuses on developing its students' skills across various subjects. William Saroyan Elementary is situated within Fresno's bustling urban environment, offering a vibrant community setting for both students and families.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at William Saroyan Elementary is 25.2:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Math vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.8 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,156

William Saroyan Elementary — Students at William Saroyan Elementary score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.0%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
53%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
34.8%
ELA
40.1%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How William Saroyan Elementary Compares

See how William Saroyan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
11th percentile in CA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

5650 West Escalon Ave., Fresno, CA 93722

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William Saroyan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Norman Liddell Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Bluff Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawless Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fresno, see our Fresno schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Elephant Owl School of SAT Sciences Fresno 0.7 mi
River Bluff Elementary Fresno 0.8 mi 7.7
Rio Vista Middle Fresno 0.9 mi 7.5
Norman Liddell Elementary Fresno 1.3 mi 7.9
Teague Elementary Fresno 1.6 mi 6.5
Herndon-Barstow Elementary Fresno 1.4 mi 5.8
Crescent View South II Fresno 1.7 mi 6.1
Lawless Elementary Fresno 1.6 mi 7.1
Figarden Elementary Fresno 1.6 mi 6.9
Harvest Elementary Fresno 2.0 mi 4.8
Glacier Point Middle Fresno 2.3 mi 6.3
Justin Garza High Fresno 2.4 mi 4.5
Central East High Fresno 2.6 mi 5.7
H. Roger Tatarian Elementary Fresno 2.3 mi 6.2
John Steinbeck Elementary Fresno 2.7 mi 5.6
Fresno California Academy Fresno 3.8 mi
Central Elementary Fresno 3.9 mi 5.0
Central Unified Alternative/Opportunity Fresno 3.7 mi 5.4
Slater Elementary Fresno 3.3 mi 6.5
Roosevelt Elementary Fresno 4.0 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93722 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,335

Median Home Value

$350,700

Median Rent

$1,529/mo

Population

84,500

College Educated

23.2%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

32.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding William Saroyan Elementary has a median household income of $77,335. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,700, with a median rent of $1,529/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
American Lakes Sacramento, CA 4.4
Aspire University Charter Modesto, CA 4.4
Bay View Academy Monterey, CA 4.4
Bobier Elementary Vista, CA 4.4
Browns Valley Elementary Napa, CA 4.4
Capitol Collegiate Academy Sacramento, CA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William Saroyan Elementary

What grades does William Saroyan Elementary serve?

William Saroyan Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend William Saroyan Elementary?

William Saroyan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 706 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William Saroyan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at William Saroyan Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does William Saroyan Elementary rank in CA?

William Saroyan Elementary is ranked #8443 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is William Saroyan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

William Saroyan Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 William Saroyan Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Saroyan Elementary has 36.0% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is William Saroyan Elementary a charter school?

No, William Saroyan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is William Saroyan Elementary a Title I school?

No, William Saroyan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Saroyan Elementary?

79.7% of students at William Saroyan 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,045/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fresno). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Fresno County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Unified
District Enrollment
15,956
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,205
District Rank
#20 of 23

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.