Elementary Schools in El Centro, California
El Centro, California has 15 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 40.7/100 — 3.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Central Union High at 53/100, where 11.4% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. El Centro schools average 12.9% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.9% (near the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
How El Centro schools compare
El Centro's 15 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 40.7 — 3.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 26.3 to 53.4, a 27.0-point spread.
The top-ranked school is Central Union High with a Scope Score of 53 and 11.4% of students exceeding standard.
Chronic absenteeism in El Centro averages 18.9%, which is near the state average of 18.1%.
How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)
School archetypes in El Centro
Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more
Schools in El Centro ranked by Scope Score
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Union High Central Union High Building Momentum | 11.4% | Solid 53/100 |
| 2 | Southwest High Central Union High Building Momentum | 14.7% | Solid 51/100 |
| 3 | McCabe Elementary McCabe Union Elementary Building Momentum | 21.4% | Developing 50/100 |
| 4 | Lincoln Elementary El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 14.6% | Developing 47/100 |
| 5 | De Anza Magnet El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 16.9% | Developing 47/100 |
| 6 | McKinley Elementary El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 18.2% | Developing 45/100 |
| 7 | Imperial Valley Home School Academy El Centro Elementary Culture First | 15.5% | Developing 45/100 |
| 8 | Sunflower Elementary El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 19.2% | Developing 39/100 |
| 9 | Desert Garden Elementary El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 13.7% | Developing 38/100 |
| 10 | Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 7.0% | Developing 38/100 |
| 11 | Harding Elementary El Centro Elementary Culture First | 9.7% | Developing 37/100 |
| 12 | Meadows Elementary Meadows Union Culture First | 8.8% | Developing 35/100 |
| 13 | Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 11.0% | Developing 33/100 |
| 14 | Desert Oasis High (Continuation) Central Union High Building Momentum | 0.7% | Needs Support 27/100 |
| 15 | Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary El Centro Elementary Building Momentum | 10.4% | Needs Support 26/100 |
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.
Private Schools in El Centro
Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.
What Scope Scores can't tell you about El Centro
- Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
- Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
- Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
- Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
- Parent and community engagement levels
- Quality of special education and gifted programs
- How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access
Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology