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Elementary Schools in El Cajon, California: 25 schools. Average score 10.2 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data25 schools · avg 34.6/100

El Cajon, California has 25 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 34.6/100 — 10.2 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Fletcher Hills Elementary at 56/100, where 39.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. El Cajon schools average 13.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.5% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
34.6
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
38.4
17.8 – 56.2
Avg Exceeded %
13.7%
State avg: 21.3%
Chronic Absenteeism
21.5%
State avg: 17.9%
Schools Ranked
25
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary25Developing
34.6/100
13.7%-10.2
High8Developing
32.5/100
14.5%-11.2
Middle6Developing
32.5/100
9.9%-10.1

How El Cajon schools compare

El Cajon has 25 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 34.6/100 — 10.2 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Fletcher Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 56 and 39.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in El Cajon averages 21.5% — above the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in El Cajon

4 Culture First1 Solid Base20 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in El Cajon

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Grossmont Middle College High
Grossmont Union High High Ceiling
53.3%Strong
71/100
2Fletcher Hills Elementary
La Mesa-Spring Valley Solid Base
39.6%Solid
56/100
3Fuerte Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
31.4%Solid
55/100
4Valhalla High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
26.8%Solid
52/100
5Literacy First Charter
San Diego County Office of Education Building Momentum
27.0%Solid
52/100
6Rancho San Diego Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
28.0%Developing
47/100
7Vista Grande Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
23.8%Developing
47/100
8Hillsdale Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
23.0%Developing
46/100
9Dehesa Elementary
Dehesa Elementary Culture First
5.8%Developing
45/100
10Kidinnu Academy
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
26.1%Developing
45/100
11Rios Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
16.2%Developing
44/100
12Granite Hills High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
12.4%Developing
43/100
13Pepper Drive Elementary
Santee Building Momentum
22.1%Developing
43/100
14EJE Middle Academy
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
9.8%Developing
41/100
15EJE Elementary Academy Charter
Cajon Valley Union Culture First
8.8%Developing
41/100
16Los Coches Creek Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
14.1%Developing
36/100
17Johnson Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
6.8%Developing
34/100
18Madison Avenue Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
6.5%Developing
33/100
19El Cajon Valley High
Grossmont Union High Building Momentum
5.8%Developing
31/100
20Jamacha Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
16.6%Developing
30/100
21Meridian Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
5.0%Developing
30/100
22Cajon Valley Home
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
16.5%Needs Support
30/100
23Blossom Valley Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
15.3%Needs Support
28/100
24Bostonia Global
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
10.5%Needs Support
28/100
25Greenfield Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
5.7%Needs Support
27/100
26Altus Schools East County
SBE - Altus Schools East County Building Momentum
9.5%Needs Support
26/100
27Crest Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
7.2%Needs Support
26/100
28Flying Hills School of Arts
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
7.3%Needs Support
25/100
29Chase Avenue Elementary
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
3.2%Needs Support
24/100
30Cajon Valley Middle
Cajon Valley Union Building Momentum
3.3%Needs Support
24/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 39 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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 El Cajon

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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in El Cajon good?
El Cajon's 25 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 34.6/100, which is 10.2 points below the state average. 13.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner 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 Fletcher Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 56/100 and 39.6% 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 34.6/100 — 10.2 points below the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 13.7% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.5% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in El Cajon?
El Cajon has 25 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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.