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Elementary Schools in El Cajon, California: 25 schools. Average score 10.3 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data25 schools · avg 33.0/100

El Cajon, California has 25 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 33.0/100 — 10.3 points below the state average of 43.2. The highest-scoring school is Fletcher Hills Elementary at 59/100, where 39.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. El Cajon schools average 13.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.5% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
33.0
State avg: 43.2
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
42.1
16.7 – 58.8
Avg Exceeded %
13.7%
State avg: 21.3%
Chronic Absenteeism
21.5%
State avg: 17.9%
Schools Ranked
25
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary25Developing
33.0/100
13.7%-10.3
High8Developing
32.5/100
14.5%-11.2
Middle6Needs Support
29.1/100
9.9%-11.3

How El Cajon schools compare

El Cajon has 25 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 33.0/100 — 10.3 points below the state average of 43.2 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Fletcher Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 59 and 39.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in El Cajon averages 21.5% — above the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in El Cajon

4 Culture First1 Strong All-Around20 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in El Cajon

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Grossmont Middle College High
Grossmont Union High High Ceiling
53.3%Strong
71/100
2Fletcher Hills Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Strong All-Around
39.6%Solid
59/100
3Fuerte Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
31.4%Solid
54/100
4Valhalla High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
26.8%Solid
52/100
5Literacy First Charter
San Diego County Office of Education Building Momentum
27.0%Solid
51/100
6Kidinnu Academy
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
26.1%Developing
48/100
7Rancho San Diego Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
28.0%Developing
47/100
8Vista Grande Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
23.8%Developing
46/100
9Hillsdale Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
23.0%Developing
45/100
10Pepper Drive Elementary
Santee Building Momentum
22.1%Developing
43/100
11Granite Hills High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
12.4%Developing
43/100
12Rios Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
16.2%Developing
39/100
13EJE Elementary Academy Charter
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
8.8%Developing
37/100
14EJE Middle Academy
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
9.8%Developing
37/100
15Dehesa Elementary
Dehesa Elementary Culture First
5.8%Developing
37/100
16Los Coches Creek Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
14.1%Developing
33/100
17Jamacha Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
16.6%Developing
32/100
18El Cajon Valley High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
5.8%Developing
31/100
19Blossom Valley Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
15.3%Developing
31/100
20Cajon Valley Home
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
16.5%Needs Support
30/100
21Johnson Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
6.8%Needs Support
28/100
22Crest Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
7.2%Needs Support
28/100
23Bostonia Global
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
10.5%Needs Support
27/100
24Madison Avenue Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
6.5%Needs Support
27/100
25Altus Schools East County
SBE - Altus Schools East County Building Momentum
9.5%Needs Support
26/100
26Meridian Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
5.0%Needs Support
26/100
27Flying Hills School of Arts
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
7.3%Needs Support
24/100
28Greenfield Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
5.7%Needs Support
21/100
29Chase Avenue Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
3.2%Needs Support
20/100
30W. D. Hall Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
4.9%Needs Support
19/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 39 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about El Cajon

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in El Cajon good?
El Cajon's 25 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 33.0/100, which is 10.3 points below the state average. 13.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in El Cajon?
The highest-scoring elementary school in El Cajon is Fletcher Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 59/100 and 39.6% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do El Cajon schools compare to the state average?
El Cajon elementary schools average a Scope Score of 33.0/100 — 10.3 points below the state average of 43.2. The exceeded rate averages 13.7% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.5% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in El Cajon?
El Cajon has 25 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.