Elementary Schools in National City, California: 11 schools. Average score 11.0 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.
National City, California has 11 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 32.3/100 — 11.0 points below the state average of 43.2. The highest-scoring school is John A. Otis Elementary at 42/100, where 14.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. National City schools average 11.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.0% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
| Level | Schools | Avg Score | Exceeded | vs State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 11 | Developing 32.3/100 | 11.6% | -11.0 |
| High | 2 | Developing 38.5/100 | 6.6% | -5.2 |
How National City schools compare
National City has 11 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 32.3/100 — 11.0 points below the state average of 43.2 (CDE CAASPP 2025).
The top-ranked school is John A. Otis Elementary with a Scope Score of 42 and 14.6% of students exceeding standard.
Chronic absenteeism in National City averages 24.0% — 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%
Every school in National City
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweetwater High Sweetwater Union High Building Momentum | 9.0% | Developing 48/100 |
| 2 | John A. Otis Elementary National Elementary Building Momentum | 14.6% | Developing 42/100 |
| 3 | Ira Harbison National Elementary Building Momentum | 16.9% | Developing 42/100 |
| 4 | Palmer Way National Elementary Building Momentum | 19.3% | Developing 37/100 |
| 5 | Kimball National Elementary Building Momentum | 13.8% | Developing 37/100 |
| 6 | Rancho de la Nacion National Elementary Building Momentum | 15.7% | Developing 31/100 |
| 7 | Olivewood National Elementary Building Momentum | 9.2% | Developing 31/100 |
| 8 | El Toyon Elementary National Elementary Building Momentum | 7.3% | Developing 30/100 |
| 9 | San Diego Workforce Innovation High Borrego Springs Unified Building Momentum | 4.2% | Needs Support 29/100 |
| 10 | Central Elementary National Elementary Building Momentum | 11.0% | Needs Support 29/100 |
| 11 | Lincoln Acres National Elementary Building Momentum | 4.0% | Needs Support 26/100 |
| 12 | Las Palmas National Elementary Building Momentum | 5.4% | Needs Support 25/100 |
| 13 | Integrity Charter National Elementary Building Momentum | 10.0% | Needs Support 25/100 |
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.
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