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Schools in 92021 — El Cajon, California

92021 has 9 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 26.8 — 16.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 17.4 to 37.8, a 20.4-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
26.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
20.4
17.4 – 37.8
Avg Exceeded %
8.2%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
26.7%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
9
With Scope Scores

How 92021 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Rios Elementary with a Scope Score of 38 and 16.2% of students exceeding standard.

Declining trajectory: Average proficiency drops by 3.8 percentage points from grade 3 to grade 5 across 92021. This pattern in test scores may reflect a variety of factors and is worth examining school by school.

Chronic absenteeism across 92021 averages 26.7%, below the state average of 18.1%. This elevated rate may indicate systemic attendance challenges in the area.

How 92021 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 92021
92021El Cajon9Needs Support
26.8/100
92020El Cajon12Developing
32.6/100
+5.7
92019El Cajon12Developing
36.2/100
+9.4
92024Encinitas7Solid
59.1/100
+32.2
92025Escondido8Developing
39.4/100
+12.6
92026Escondido8Developing
38.5/100
+11.7

School archetypes in 92021

2 On the Rise7 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 2 schools in 92021 are classified as On the Rise (2) — 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 92021

#SchoolExceededScore
1Rios Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
16.2%Developing
38/100
2El Cajon Valley High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
5.8%Developing
35/100
3Blossom Valley Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
15.3%Developing
33/100
4Los Coches Creek Middle
Cajon Valley Union On the Rise
14.1%Developing
31/100
5Crest Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
7.2%Needs Support
28/100
6Greenfield Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
5.7%Needs Support
22/100
7W. D. Hall Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
4.9%Needs Support
20/100
8Naranca Elementary
Cajon Valley Union On the Rise
2.3%Needs Support
18/100
9Magnolia Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
2.4%Needs Support
17/100

Schools in 92021 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 92021

  • 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 El Cajon good?
El Cajon's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 26.8/100, which is 16.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. 8.2% 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 El Cajon?
The highest-scoring elementary school in El Cajon is Rios Elementary with a Scope Score of 38/100 and 16.2% 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 26.8 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (16.9 points below). The exceeded rate averages 8.2% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 26.7% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 17.4 to 37.8, a 20.4-point spread.
How many schools are in El Cajon?
El Cajon has 9 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.