Elementary Schools in National City, California: 11 schools. Average score 10.3 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.
National City, California has 11 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 28.5/100 — 10.3 points below the state average of 38.9. The highest-scoring school is John A. Otis Elementary at 39/100, where 14.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. National City schools average 11.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.4%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction shows how many students go beyond the standard rather than only meeting it. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.0% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
Start with your child’s school level
The overview describes elementary schools. The lists below separate elementary, middle and high schools, so each school’s standing stays within its own comparison group. Open a profile to see the underlying results, student support and questions to ask on a visit.
Every school in National City
ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP · levels never mixed
Elementary Schools (11)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John A. Otis Elementary National Elementary | 14.6% | 58th percentile · SolidScope Score 39/100 |
| 2 | Ira Harbison National Elementary | 16.9% | 54th percentile · SolidScope Score 37/100 |
| 3 | Kimball National Elementary | 13.8% | 43rd percentile · DevelopingScope Score 33/100 |
| 4 | Palmer Way National Elementary | 19.3% | 42nd percentile · DevelopingScope Score 33/100 |
| 5 | Rancho de la Nacion National Elementary | 15.7% | 30th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 28/100 |
| 6 | Olivewood National Elementary | 9.2% | 29th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 28/100 |
| 7 | El Toyon Elementary National Elementary | 7.3% | 26th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 27/100 |
| 8 | Central Elementary National Elementary | 11.0% | 22nd percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 25/100 |
| 9 | Las Palmas National Elementary | 5.4% | 14th percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 22/100 |
| 10 | Lincoln Acres National Elementary | 4.0% | 14th percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 22/100 |
| 11 | Integrity Charter National Elementary | 10.0% | 12th percentile · Needs SupportScope Score 21/100 |
High Schools (2)
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweetwater High Sweetwater Union High | 9.0% | 49th percentile · DevelopingScope Score 52/100 |
| 2 | San Diego Workforce Innovation High Borrego Springs Unified alternative school | 4.2% | 20th percentile · Needs SupportWithin its own school classScope Score 12/100 |
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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.
Elementary school archetypes in National City
Hidden gems: 3 schools in National City are classified as On the Rise (3) — 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
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