Elementary Schools in Santa Ana Unified

This analysis examines 34 elementary schools within the Santa Ana Unified school district, serving grades K-5 through K-8 in a predominantly low-income area where academic performance across the district generally lags behind state averages.

When comparing schools, the standout performers are the district's "Fundamental" schools, particularly John Muir Fundamental Elementary, which achieves the highest test scores and state ranking, followed by Jim Thorpe Fundamental and Greenville Fundamental Elementary; these schools also boast significantly lower chronic absenteeism. In contrast, schools like Romero-Cruz Academy, Pio Pico Elementary, and Lowell Elementary face the steepest academic challenges, ranking in the lowest percentiles statewide.

Key findings for parents include that school performance does not clearly align with spending levels, as some higher-funded schools like Taft Elementary struggle while others with fewer resources succeed. Science scores are an area of weakness district-wide, and schools serving only K-5 grades tend to outperform those with K-8 configurations. The data shows wide variation in outcomes, indicating that school-level programs and practices significantly impact student success within this community.