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Elementary Schools in National City, California: 10 schools. Average score 10.5 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data10 schools · avg 33.3/100

National City, California has 10 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 33.3/100 — 10.5 points below the state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is John A. Otis Elementary at 43/100, where 14.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. National City schools average 11.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.0% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
33.3
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
17.1
25.5 – 42.6
Avg Exceeded %
11.7%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
24.0%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
10
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary10Developing
33.3/100
11.7%-10.5
High1Solid
53.0/100
9.0%+5.6

How National City schools compare

National City has 10 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 33.3/100 — 10.5 points below the state average of 43.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is John A. Otis Elementary with a Scope Score of 43 and 14.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in National City averages 24.0% — above the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

For the data nerds

Every school in National City

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Sweetwater High
Sweetwater Union High Building Momentum
9.0%Solid
53/100
2John A. Otis Elementary
National Elementary Building Momentum
14.6%Developing
43/100
3Ira Harbison
National Elementary Building Momentum
16.9%Developing
41/100
4Palmer Way
National Elementary Building Momentum
19.3%Developing
37/100
5Kimball
National Elementary Building Momentum
13.8%Developing
37/100
6Rancho de la Nacion
National Elementary Building Momentum
15.7%Developing
32/100
7Olivewood
National Elementary Building Momentum
9.2%Developing
31/100
8El Toyon Elementary
National Elementary Building Momentum
7.3%Developing
31/100
9Central Elementary
National Elementary Building Momentum
11.0%Needs Support
28/100
10Lincoln Acres
National Elementary Building Momentum
4.0%Needs Support
26/100
11Las Palmas
National Elementary Building Momentum
5.4%Needs Support
26/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 11 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 National City

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 National City good?
National City's 10 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 33.3/100, which is 10.5 points below the state average. 11.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in National City?
The highest-scoring elementary school in National City is John A. Otis Elementary with a Scope Score of 43/100 and 14.6% 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 National City schools compare to the state average?
National City elementary schools average a Scope Score of 33.3/100 — 10.5 points below the state average of 43.8. The exceeded rate averages 11.7% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 24.0% vs. 18.1% statewide.
How many schools are in National City?
National City has 10 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.

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