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Potrero Elementary

Public Grades K-6

5789^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Elementary Schools

Better than 1% of California elementary schools

Summary

Potrero Elementary is a K-6 public school serving about 300 students in the rural community of Potrero, California, within the Mountain Empire Unified school district, which ranks in the bottom 12% of all districts in the state.

Academically, the school faces significant challenges, with proficiency rates far below state averages—14% in English, 6% in math, and 8% in science—placing it in the 1st percentile statewide. A major factor is chronic absenteeism, with over 40% of students missing too much school, a rate more than double the state average and much higher than nearby schools like Descanso Elementary (15.6%) or Campo Elementary (29.5%). The school serves a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students (79%), which presents unique challenges in this remote setting.

Interestingly, performance varies widely even within the same low-ranked district; Descanso Elementary ranks in the 67th percentile, showing that better outcomes are possible in similar environments. Despite spending over $16,000 per student, Potrero's results lag, while a school like The Heights Charter achieves stronger academic performance with lower spending. This suggests that addressing attendance and how resources are used could be critical pathways for improvement.

300

Students ?

25.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,889

Per pupil spending ?

79%

Free/discounted lunch ?

24875 Potrero Valley Rd.
Potrero, CA 91963-4110

(619) 478-5930

District: Mountain Empire Unified

Students who attend Potrero Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Mountain Empire Junior High
High:	Mountain Empire High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

98.7%

White:

1.0%

African American:

0.3%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 2nd percentile in 2015 → 1st in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (9% vs 41% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (1st percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (42% vs 19% California)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school9%

District avg17%

California avg41%

5,789^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 1 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 4Elementary Schools in the Mountain Empire Unified

1361^st of 1,543Mountain Empire Unified among California districts

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

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	6.8	5789 of 5857	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.4	5754 of 5869	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.7	5790 of 5859	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	14.3	5426 of 5883	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	13.7	1322 of 1417	6.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	11.7	5473 of 5789	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	13.2	5241 of 5662	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	13.4	5240 of 5692	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	11.7	5320 of 5614	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	9.7	5491 of 5611	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	8.7	5346 of 5530	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	6.4	5312 of 5390	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	16.6	4871 of 5377	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	18.2	4699 of 5314	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	19.4	4473 of 5193	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	34.8	3284 of 5113	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	39.0	2967 of 5113	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	35.7	2956 of 4818	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2005	24.3	3682 of 4822	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	24.4	3599 of 4809	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	30.4	2526 of 3162	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.5	2912 of 3245	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	37.5	1999 of 3311	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.4	375 of 602	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.9	1924 of 3275	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.2	1608 of 3246	50.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	8.2	5511 of 5597	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	7.4	5570 of 5612	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	6.8	5585 of 5609	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	12.7	5379 of 5635	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	14.0	1193 of 1267	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	15.6	4990 of 5492	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.4	4951 of 5413	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	8.2	5042 of 5107	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	9.7	5005 of 5107	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.2	5029 of 5087	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	18.0	4637 of 5084	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	15.2	4653 of 4963	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	18.3	4345 of 4830	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	6.0	5432 of 5460	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.1	5351 of 5517	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.0	5264 of 5363	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.7	4867 of 5264	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	20.4	988 of 1110	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	14.5	4864 of 5173	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	17.8	4610 of 5084	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	7.7	5545 of 5628	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.9	5440 of 5643	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.0	5512 of 5638	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	17.4	4995 of 5663	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.3	1127 of 1272	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	11.6	5286 of 5510	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.6	4993 of 5431	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2017	10.5	2367 of 2508	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	11.4	2307 of 2497	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	13.7	2237 of 2477	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	9.9	2224 of 2379	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	9.3	2128 of 2259	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	16.8	1960 of 2236	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	8.3	2068 of 2179	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)20th percentile+18 vs school

Female (2025)2nd percentile~ school

Male (2025)1st percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)1st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)1st percentile~ school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

Listening20%-6 vs state

English Language Arts/Literacy14%-35 vs state

Writing9%-8 vs state

Science8%-25 vs state

Mathematics6%-31 vs state

Overall4%-6 vs state

Reading3%-5 vs state

★

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Schools Near Potrero Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CSA Spanish Overall (2025)			CSA Spanish Listening (2025)			CSA Spanish Writing (2025)			CSA Spanish Reading (2025)			CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)							% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CSA Spanish Overall 3rd Grade	CSA Spanish Overall 6th Grade	CSA Spanish Overall All Grades	CSA Spanish Listening 3rd Grade	CSA Spanish Listening 6th Grade	CSA Spanish Listening All Grades	CSA Spanish Writing 3rd Grade	CSA Spanish Writing 6th Grade	CSA Spanish Writing All Grades	CSA Spanish Reading 3rd Grade	CSA Spanish Reading 6th Grade	CSA Spanish Reading All Grades	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Potrero Elementary	Public	K-6	24875 Potrero Valley Rd.	Potrero	91963	San Diego County	Mountain Empire Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 478-5930	300	12	25.0	79.0%	3 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	296 (98.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6.8	5789^th of 5857 public elementary schools	1.2%		8.4	5754^th of 5869 public elementary schools	2.0%	35	7.0	1.9	4.2	39.5	3.8	19.8	7.0	11.3	9.4	4.7	1.9	3.1	8.1		8.1	7.5	19.4	14.7	14.8			14.0	9.1	10.5	0.0	3.8			5.8						$18,889	$17,616	$1,273
Campo Elementary	Public	K-6	1654 Buckman Springs Rd.	Campo	91906	San Diego County	Mountain Empire Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 478-5583	359	16	22.1	47.4%	110 (30.6%)	5 (1.4%)	192 (53.5%)	5 (1.4%)	33 (9.2%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.9%)	17.8	5027^th of 5857 public elementary schools	14.2%		17.9	5038^th of 5869 public elementary schools	14.2%	11													20.0		20.0	45.0	21.2	26.1	7.7			24.9	26.8	15.4	11.1	5.1			14.7	92.6	96.3	96.3	92.6	96.3	$27,844	$26,674	$1,170
Jamul Elementary	Public	K-5	14567 Lyons Valley Rd.	Jamul	91935	San Diego County	Jamul-Dulzura Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 669-7800	386	16	24.1	45.9%	105 (27.2%)	6 (1.6%)	242 (62.7%)	6 (1.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.7%)	36	3485^th of 5857 public elementary schools	40.5%		32.5	3738^th of 5869 public elementary schools	36.3%	253													18.5		18.5	34.3	53.2	47.6				44.8	31.3	34.9	13.9				26.7						$20,012	$18,484	$1,528
Descanso Elementary	Public	K-6	24842 Viejas Blvd.	Descanso	91916	San Diego County	Mountain Empire Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 445-2126	188	9	20.8	45.2%	102 (54.3%)	0 (0.0%)	74 (39.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (5.3%)	62.8	1928^th of 5857 public elementary schools	67.1%		74.6	1383^rd of 5869 public elementary schools	76.4%	545													39.3		39.3	33.3	60.0	78.6	84.2			65.0	27.8	42.9	25.0	57.9			38.0						$26,860	$25,492	$1,368
Boulder Oaks Elementary	Public	1-5	2320 Tavern Rd.	Alpine	91901	San Diego County	Alpine Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 445-8676	367	16	22.9	39.8%	214 (58.3%)	2 (0.5%)	92 (25.1%)	3 (0.8%)	17 (4.6%)	1 (0.3%)	37 (10.1%)	57	2214^th of 5857 public elementary schools	62.2%		44.6	2889^th of 5869 public elementary schools	50.8%	675													40.6		40.6	48.6	31.8	56.3				47.0	58.8	30.3	41.7				43.5						$25,474	$24,342	$1,132
The Heights Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	2710 Alpine Blvd. Ste. E	Alpine	91901	San Diego County	The Heights Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 792-9000	283	10	28.8	13.4%	232 (82.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (12.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.3%)	79.7	1171^st of 5857 public elementary schools	80.0%		74.3	1394^th of 5869 public elementary schools	76.2%	223													53.6	40.0	47.2	57.1	53.9	64.3	58.1	74.1	60.0	61.2	66.7	57.7	57.1	58.1	55.6	37.5	55.8	90.5	90.5		90.5
Dehesa Elementary	Public	K-8	4612 Dehesa Rd.	El Cajon	92019	San Diego County	Dehesa Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 444-2161	399	28	14.4	36.8%	124 (31.1%)	8 (2.0%)	168 (42.1%)	9 (2.3%)	7 (1.8%)	3 (0.8%)	79 (19.8%)	26.5	4275^th of 5857 public elementary schools	27.0%		20.8	4789^th of 5869 public elementary schools	18.4%	514													22.9	37.5	26.6	14.3	26.2	34.7	46.3	44.4	43.8	34.0	14.8	26.2	18.8	26.8	27.8	37.5	24.0						$33,353	$33,144	$209
Clover Flat Elementary	Public	K-6	39639 Old Highway 80	Boulevard	91905	San Diego County	Mountain Empire Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 766-4655	190	8	23.7	61.6%	43 (22.6%)	3 (1.6%)	101 (53.2%)	2 (1.1%)	21 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (10.5%)	9.2	5675^th of 5857 public elementary schools	3.1%		9.3	5711^th of 5869 public elementary schools	2.7%	36													11.5		11.5	14.7	22.7	11.5	30.8			17.9	17.7	4.6	0.0	0.0			7.5	93.3			93.3		$31,110	$29,250	$1,860
Mountain View Learning Academy	Public	K-8	8770 Harbison Canyon Rd.	Alpine	91901	San Diego County	Alpine Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 659-2854	64	3	21.3	39.1%	33 (51.6%)	5 (7.8%)	18 (28.1%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.7%)	40.7	3171^st of 5857 public elementary schools	45.9%		54.4	2321^st of 5869 public elementary schools	60.5%	850													50.0		40.0			41.7	27.3			38.8			8.3	36.4			38.8						$19,138	$18,356	$782
Shadow Hills Elementary	Public	1-5	8770 Harbison Canyon Rd.	Alpine	91901	San Diego County	Alpine Union Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(619) 445-2977	377	18	20.9	33.4%	158 (41.9%)	5 (1.3%)	161 (42.7%)	3 (0.8%)	10 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (10.3%)	78	1242^nd of 5857 public elementary schools	78.8%		71.8	1510^th of 5869 public elementary schools	74.3%	268													41.8		41.8	51.3	65.5	68.7				60.9	62.0	72.7	50.8				61.2						$21,667	$20,486	$1,181

Frequently Asked Questions about Potrero Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Potrero Elementary?

Students at Potrero Elementary are 99% Hispanic.

What district is Potrero Elementary in?

Mountain Empire Unified

How many students attend Potrero Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 300 students attended Potrero Elementary.

Is Potrero Elementary a good school?

Potrero Elementary ranks in the bottom 1.2% of California elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Potrero Elementary attend?

Students who attend Potrero Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mountain Empire Junior High
High : Mountain Empire High

Rate Potrero Elementary!

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Latest California data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataJul 1, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataMar 13, 2026

2024–25 CSA Spanish test scoresDec 22, 2025

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 14, 2025

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.