ExploreMapCompareBlogSign in

Schools in 91950 — National City, California

91950 has 11 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 35.1 — 8.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 25.5 to 53.0, a 27.5-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
35.1
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
27.5
25.5 – 53.0
Avg Exceeded %
11.5%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
23.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
11
With Scope Scores

How 91950 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Sweetwater High with a Scope Score of 53 and 9.0% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism across 91950 averages 23.6%, below the state average of 18.1%. This elevated rate may indicate systemic attendance challenges in the area.

How 91950 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 91950
91950National City11Developing
35.1/100
91945Lemon Grove5Developing
35.9/100
+0.9
91942La Mesa4Developing
43.9/100
+8.8
91941La Mesa7Developing
42.3/100
+7.2

School archetypes in 91950

5 On the Rise6 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 5 schools in 91950 are classified as On the Rise (5) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

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

All schools in 91950

#SchoolExceededScore
1Sweetwater High
Sweetwater Union High Building Momentum
9.0%Solid
53/100
2John A. Otis Elementary
National Elementary On the Rise
14.6%Developing
43/100
3Ira Harbison
National Elementary On the Rise
16.9%Developing
41/100
4Palmer Way
National Elementary Building Momentum
19.3%Developing
37/100
5Kimball
National Elementary On the Rise
13.8%Developing
37/100
6Rancho de la Nacion
National Elementary Building Momentum
15.7%Developing
32/100
7Olivewood
National Elementary Building Momentum
9.2%Developing
31/100
8El Toyon Elementary
National Elementary Building Momentum
7.3%Developing
31/100
9Central Elementary
National Elementary On the Rise
11.0%Needs Support
28/100
10Lincoln Acres
National Elementary On the Rise
4.0%Needs Support
26/100
11Las Palmas
National Elementary Building Momentum
5.4%Needs Support
26/100

Schools in 91950 on the map

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 91950

  • 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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in National City good?
National City's 11 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 35.1/100, which is 8.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. 11.5% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in National City?
The highest-scoring elementary school in National City is Sweetwater High with a Scope Score of 53/100 and 9.0% 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 National City schools compare to the state average?
National City elementary schools average a Scope Score of 35.1 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (8.7 points below). The exceeded rate averages 11.5% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 23.6% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 25.5 to 53.0, a 27.5-point spread.
How many schools are in National City?
National City has 11 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 six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner 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.