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Elementary Schools in El Cerrito, California

Above Average2024–25 data4 schools · avg 60.0/100

El Cerrito, California has 4 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 60.0/100 — 16.3 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Madera Elementary at 82/100, where 56.7% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. El Cerrito schools average 33.3% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Of 4 schools, 1 High Ceiling stand out for their performance profiles. Chronic absenteeism averages 14.8% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

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 El Cerrito schools compare

El Cerrito's 4 ranked elementary schools average 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.

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

High-ceiling schools: El Cerrito schools average 33.3% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.6%. These schools aren't just getting students to proficiency, they're pushing them further.

Chronic absenteeism in El Cerrito averages 14.8%, which is above 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 Cerrito

1 High Ceiling1 Culture First2 Building Momentum

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

Schools in El Cerrito ranked by Scope Score

#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 Culture First
31.3%Solid
53/100
4Fairmont Elementary
West Contra Costa Unified Building Momentum
26.2%Developing
46/100

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 Cerrito

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.

Prospect Sierra School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 463 students
5:1Private
St. John the Baptist
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 168 students
16:1Private
Montessori Family School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 69 students
9:1Private
Golestan School
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-3 · 52 students
6:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about El Cerrito

  • 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.

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