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Literacy First Charter

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12
1793rd
SchoolDigger Rank ?
of 5,817 California Alternative Schools
Better than 69% of California alternative schools
Summary

Literacy First Charter is a large, K-12 public charter school in El Cajon serving over 2,100 students, and it stands out for its exceptionally strong and consistent academic results.

The school's performance is impressive, with students scoring well above state averages in English, math, and science, and it boasts graduation rates above 92% with very low dropout and chronic absenteeism. What makes this particularly noteworthy is that the school achieves these outcomes while serving a student population where over half qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, demonstrating that its educational model is effectively supporting students with economic need. Furthermore, the school delivers these results efficiently, with per-student spending that is reasonable compared to some nearby alternatives that have far worse outcomes.

When compared to other local charter schools, the difference is stark. For instance, nearby schools like Diego Valley East Public Charter and Bostonia Global have significantly lower proficiency and graduation rates despite similar student demographics, proving that geographic proximity doesn't guarantee similar quality. Literacy First Charter's success, shared by high-performers like The O'Farrell Charter, shows that within the "alternative" school category, the effectiveness of a school's specific culture, leadership, and instructional practices is what truly drives student success.

2,160
Students ?
22.5
Student/teacher ratio ?
52.3%
Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?
All students in California receive free school meals.
95%
Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2024-25)
Exemptions: 0% (any vaccine)
 799 East Washington Ave.
       El Cajon, CA  92020-5327

(619) 579-7232

District: Literacy First Charter District

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
42.0%
White:
31.7%
Hispanic:
20.1%
more
 See top rated California elementary schools

 Compare Literacy First Charter to nearby alternative schools!
At a glance
▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 86th percentile in 2023 → 85th in 2026
Strengths
✓Test scores above the California average (51% vs 42% meeting standards)
✓95% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (86%)
✓Above the California median (69th percentile)
Worth a look
!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing
!Large classes — about 22 students per teacher
Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?
This school51%
California avg42%
Elementary school
1,793rd of 5,817
California public elementary schools ?
Top 31%▼ down 21 pts since 2019
From top 10% (2019) to top 31% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →
★★★★★
SchoolDigger rating ?
Middle school
689th of 2,740
California public middle schools ?
Top 25%▼ down 16 pts since 2019
From top 9% (2019) to top 25% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of California Middle Schools →
★★★★★
SchoolDigger rating ?
High school
311th of 2,135
California public high schools ?
Top 15%▼ down 6 pts since 2019
From top 8% (2019) to top 15% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →
★★★★★
SchoolDigger rating ?
Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)
Elementary school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202665.71793 of 581769.2%★★★☆☆
202566.91750 of 585770.1%★★★★☆
202472.71465 of 586975.0%★★★★☆
202373.81431 of 585975.6%★★★★☆
202282.21080 of 588381.6%★★★★☆
202188.0175 of 141787.6%★★★★☆
201991.4565 of 578990.2%★★★★★

Asian

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202618.61018 of 121015.9%★☆☆☆☆
202516.01026 of 120314.7%★☆☆☆☆
202418.41023 of 120515.1%★☆☆☆☆
202317.21021 of 119014.2%★☆☆☆☆
202227.4916 of 115420.6%★☆☆☆☆
201939.2826 of 114928.1%★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202281.5276 of 222787.6%★★★★☆
202183.032 of 29389.1%★★★★☆
201986.4238 of 258590.8%★★★★★

English Language Learner

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202476.7283 of 316291.0%★★★★★
202381.8243 of 324592.5%★★★★★
202292.1142 of 331195.7%★★★★★
202197.313 of 60297.8%★★★★★
201992.5136 of 327595.8%★★★★★

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202662.81830 of 558167.2%★★★☆☆
202564.41760 of 559768.6%★★★☆☆
202472.91367 of 561275.6%★★★★☆
202373.81328 of 560976.3%★★★★☆
202279.31142 of 563579.7%★★★★☆
202188.0157 of 126787.6%★★★★☆
201987.7674 of 549287.7%★★★★☆

Hispanic

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202649.72345 of 509454.0%★★★☆☆
202567.21335 of 510773.9%★★★★☆
202462.81528 of 510770.1%★★★★☆
202372.01076 of 508778.8%★★★★☆
202284.2586 of 508488.5%★★★★☆
201996.1109 of 496397.8%★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202669.41328 of 542375.5%★★★★☆
202572.91117 of 546079.5%★★★★☆
202478.5905 of 551783.6%★★★★☆
202380.6754 of 536385.9%★★★★☆
202291.2301 of 526494.3%★★★★★
202198.012 of 111098.9%★★★★★
201994.9144 of 517397.2%★★★★★

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202666.31674 of 560370.1%★★★★☆
202566.81657 of 562870.6%★★★★☆
202469.71521 of 564373.0%★★★★☆
202371.31444 of 563874.4%★★★★☆
202282.6981 of 566382.7%★★★★☆
202185.5186 of 127285.4%★★★★☆
201992.4425 of 551092.3%★★★★★

Multi-racial

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202640.4505 of 75332.9%★★☆☆☆

Special Education

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202656.6896 of 292769.4%★★★☆☆
202550.71040 of 284763.5%★★★☆☆
202469.6505 of 263580.8%★★★★☆
202370.0473 of 242080.5%★★★★☆

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202657.41176 of 253653.6%★★★☆☆
202558.71140 of 259856.1%★★★☆☆
202465.0957 of 265163.9%★★★☆☆
202367.6874 of 266167.2%★★★☆☆
202270.5793 of 272670.9%★★★★☆
201982.9357 of 283487.4%★★★★☆
Middle school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202670.1689 of 274074.9%★★★★☆
202580.2470 of 276183.0%★★★★☆
202476.5557 of 278380.0%★★★★☆
202382.1435 of 278184.4%★★★★☆
202285.7373 of 274086.4%★★★★☆
202188.182 of 89490.8%★★★★★
201990.5256 of 271590.6%★★★★★

Asian

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202619.3635 of 77718.3%★☆☆☆☆
202523.2586 of 73920.7%★☆☆☆☆
202419.3606 of 74318.4%★☆☆☆☆
202321.4582 of 71518.6%★☆☆☆☆
202231.0539 of 73326.5%★☆☆☆☆
201936.4518 of 74530.5%★★☆☆☆

Disabled

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202279.6183 of 153188.0%★★★★☆
202185.524 of 35493.2%★★★★★
201991.078 of 149194.8%★★★★★

English Language Learner

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202440.8705 of 147852.3%★★★☆☆
202363.2235 of 152184.5%★★★★☆
202291.652 of 154096.6%★★★★★
202183.220 of 36394.5%★★★★★
201957.9321 of 144277.7%★★★★☆

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202671.1606 of 251675.9%★★★★☆
202576.3517 of 253379.6%★★★★☆
202476.7505 of 255180.2%★★★★☆
202376.4500 of 253180.2%★★★★☆
202281.2408 of 250983.7%★★★★☆
202187.076 of 73889.7%★★★★☆
201987.7278 of 238088.3%★★★★☆

Hispanic

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202664.8641 of 235772.8%★★★★☆
202583.2263 of 239589.0%★★★★☆
202482.2278 of 238888.4%★★★★☆
202384.1234 of 237490.1%★★★★★
202287.1184 of 235992.2%★★★★★
201983.9229 of 221389.7%★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202672.0515 of 252979.6%★★★★☆
202582.8281 of 254288.9%★★★★☆
202478.0391 of 257984.8%★★★★☆
202383.3271 of 253189.3%★★★★☆
202289.2155 of 245893.7%★★★★★
202195.714 of 72198.1%★★★★★
201994.277 of 236996.7%★★★★★

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202666.2717 of 251471.5%★★★★☆
202580.9419 of 253483.5%★★★★☆
202473.6548 of 255278.5%★★★★☆
202384.7349 of 253886.2%★★★★☆
202287.8304 of 252788.0%★★★★☆
202187.077 of 76389.9%★★★★★
201991.2212 of 240791.2%★★★★★

Special Education

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202675.2235 of 160585.4%★★★★☆
202561.0409 of 156673.9%★★★★☆
202467.7304 of 155280.4%★★★★☆
202367.1299 of 153180.5%★★★★☆

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202668.0451 of 149069.7%★★★☆☆
202577.5282 of 152081.4%★★★★☆
202471.0410 of 153773.3%★★★★☆
202380.5230 of 154385.1%★★★★☆
202282.5200 of 155587.1%★★★★☆
201986.9134 of 160291.6%★★★★★
High school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202684.3311 of 213585.4%★★★★☆
202585.9288 of 216286.7%★★★★☆
202479.1424 of 215980.4%★★★★☆
202385.6307 of 217085.9%★★★★☆
202285.3280 of 212386.8%★★★★☆
202182.8217 of 129083.2%★★★★☆
201989.8178 of 213391.7%★★★★★

Asian

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202633.1421 of 57526.8%★☆☆☆☆
202550.1336 of 58542.6%★★☆☆☆
202324.6460 of 59122.2%★☆☆☆☆
202235.2408 of 58129.8%★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202189.643 of 55592.3%★★★★★
201945.0482 of 111756.8%★★★☆☆

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202684.4265 of 186485.8%★★★★☆
202579.5361 of 190681.1%★★★★☆
202478.0393 of 191579.5%★★★★☆
202375.0425 of 191577.8%★★★★☆
202283.0275 of 185885.2%★★★★☆
202179.6200 of 105481.0%★★★★☆
201988.1184 of 183390.0%★★★★★

Hispanic

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202681.1285 of 188084.8%★★★★☆
202592.992 of 190095.2%★★★★★
202470.7465 of 190275.6%★★★★☆
202357.5728 of 191762.0%★★★☆☆
202282.9216 of 186188.4%★★★★☆
201979.8272 of 181485.0%★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202675.2442 of 199777.9%★★★★☆
202573.5463 of 201377.0%★★★★☆
202467.0559 of 202672.4%★★★★☆
202390.4156 of 203092.3%★★★★★
202283.4223 of 194388.5%★★★★☆
202174.4242 of 112678.5%★★★★☆
201964.6563 of 193770.9%★★★★☆

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202680.9338 of 193082.5%★★★★☆
202586.9228 of 194288.3%★★★★☆
202474.2453 of 194876.7%★★★★☆
202388.1239 of 196387.8%★★★★☆
202284.4252 of 191686.8%★★★★☆
202181.1213 of 112281.0%★★★★☆
201987.2205 of 188089.1%★★★★☆

Special Education

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202644.2569 of 123553.9%★★★☆☆
202583.4128 of 125289.8%★★★★☆

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankCalifornia percentileRating
202678.3212 of 113081.2%★★★★☆
202573.9295 of 115574.5%★★★★☆
202476.5259 of 117377.9%★★★★☆
202393.949 of 119395.9%★★★★★
202287.3107 of 120491.1%★★★★★
201994.435 of 122297.1%★★★★★
How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)
Elementary school
English Language Learner (2024)91st percentile+16 vs school
Disabled (2022)88th percentile+6 vs school
Low Socio Economic Status (2026)76th percentile+6 vs school
Male (2026)70th percentile~ school
Special Education (2026)69th percentile~ school
Female (2026)67th percentile~ school
Hispanic (2026)54th percentile-15 vs school
White (2026)54th percentile-16 vs school
Multi-racial (2026)33rd percentile-36 vs school
Asian (2026)16th percentile-53 vs school
Middle school
Disabled (2022)88th percentile~ school
Special Education (2026)85th percentile+11 vs school
Low Socio Economic Status (2026)80th percentile+5 vs school
Female (2026)76th percentile~ school
Hispanic (2026)73rd percentile~ school
Male (2026)71st percentile-3 vs school
White (2026)70th percentile-5 vs school
English Language Learner (2024)52nd percentile-28 vs school
Asian (2026)18th percentile-57 vs school
High school
Disabled (2021)92nd percentile+9 vs school
Female (2026)86th percentile~ school
Hispanic (2026)85th percentile~ school
Male (2026)82nd percentile-3 vs school
White (2026)81st percentile-4 vs school
Low Socio Economic Status (2026)78th percentile-8 vs school
Special Education (2026)54th percentile-32 vs school
Asian (2026)27th percentile-59 vs school
By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?
English Language Arts/Literacy59%+9 vs state
Mathematics47%+9 vs state
Science42%+6 vs state

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Frequently Asked Questions about Literacy First Charter

Literacy First Charter ranks 1793rd of 5817 California alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,160 students attended Literacy First Charter.

Students at Literacy First Charter are 42% Asian, 32% White, 20% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Rate Literacy First Charter!



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Latest California data All new data »
2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026
2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026
2025–26 CAST, CSA Spanish & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresOct 15, 2026
2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026


SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.

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