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Schools in 94530 — El Cerrito, California

94530 has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 60.0 — 16.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 45.7 to 82.3, a 36.6-point spread. 1 school ranks in the 90th percentile or above statewide.

Avg Scope Score
60.0
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
36.6
45.7 – 82.3
Avg Exceeded %
33.3%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
14.8%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores

How 94530 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Madera Elementary with a Scope Score of 82 and 56.7% of students exceeding standard.

High-ceiling zip code: Schools here average 33.3% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just meeting proficiency; they're pushing students beyond it.

Chronic absenteeism across 94530 averages 14.8%, above the state average of 18.1%.

How 94530 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 94530
94530El Cerrito4Solid
60.0/100
—
94531Antioch9Developing
33.0/100
-27.0
94533Fairfield19Needs Support
28.1/100
-31.9
94526Danville10Solid
68.4/100
+8.3
94534Fairfield8Solid
51.1/100
-8.9
94536Fremont14Solid
62.7/100
+2.7

School archetypes in 94530

1 High Ceiling1 Growth Engine2 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in 94530 is classified as Growth Engine — 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 94530

#SchoolExceededScore
1Madera Elementary
West Contra Costa Unified High Ceiling
56.7%Strong
82/100
2El Cerrito High
West Contra Costa Unified Building Momentum
18.9%Solid
59/100
3Harding Elementary
West Contra Costa Unified Growth Engine
31.3%Solid
53/100
4Fairmont Elementary
West Contra Costa Unified Building Momentum
26.2%Developing
46/100

Schools in 94530 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 94530

  • 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 Cerrito good?
El Cerrito's 4 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 60.0/100, which is 16.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. 33.3% 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 Cerrito?
The highest-scoring elementary school in El Cerrito is Madera Elementary with a Scope Score of 82/100 and 56.7% 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 Cerrito schools compare to the state average?
El Cerrito elementary schools average a Scope Score of 60.0 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (16.3 points above). The exceeded rate averages 33.3% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 14.8% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 45.7 to 82.3, a 36.6-point spread.
How many schools are in El Cerrito?
El Cerrito has 4 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.

Related

All California SchoolsWest Contra Costa UnifiedEl Cerrito SchoolsZip 94531Zip 94533Zip 94526Zip 94534Zip 94536
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