Birney Elementary

Public K-5

 4345 Campus Ave.
       San Diego, CA  92103-2406


(619) 497-3500

District: San Diego Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
597th of 5,868 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $7,459 Help


Students who attend Birney Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Roosevelt International Middle
High:    San Diego High

Student/teacher ratio:  23.8 Help
Number of students:  501

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
37.7%
White:
33.1%
Two or more races:
16.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Birney Elementary ranks better than 89.8% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 20th among 116 ranked elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.61. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Birney Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (37.7%), White (33.1%), two or more races (16.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 39.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Birney Elementary is 23.8. 89 elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Birney Elementary employs 21 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Birney Elementary is $7,459. 95 elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Birney Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Birney Elementary 597th of 5868 California public elementary schools. (See Birney Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


San Diego Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks San Diego Unified 579th of 1560 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Birney Elementary.

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Rank History for Birney Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 30.02 3240th 4809 32.6%
2005 37.85 2841st 4822 41.1%
2006 48.01 2270th 4818 52.9%
2007 41.07 2843rd 5113 44.4%
2008 38.01 3069th 5113 40.0%
2009 74.69 1220th 5193 76.5%
2010 80.37 993rd 5314 81.3%
2011 87.98 564th 5377 89.5%
2012 77.21 1168th 5390 78.3%
2013 78.61 1129th 5530 79.6%
2015 83.04 979th 5611 82.6%
2016 88.92 676th 5614 88.0%
2017 88.03 757th 5692 86.7%
2018 83.10 983rd 5662 82.6%
2019 86.74 808th 5789 86.0%
2022 92.87 528th 5883 91.0%
2023 91.61 590th 5848 89.9%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 89.93 15th 610 97.5%
2023 69.03 209th 667 68.7%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 91.07 160th 2416 93.4%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.72 503rd 5084 90.1%
2019 88.92 326th 5173 93.7%
2022 92.61 255th 5264 95.2%
2023 94.37 213th 5355 96.0%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.52 1165th 5413 78.5%
2019 82.91 930th 5492 83.1%
2022 89.72 650th 5635 88.5%
2023 91.42 536th 5595 90.4%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.98 496th 2128 76.7%
2019 65.68 586th 2585 77.3%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 85.55 814th 5431 85.0%
2019 86.96 734th 5510 86.7%
2022 93.87 383rd 5663 93.2%
2023 89.79 621st 5627 89.0%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.32 53rd 700 92.4%
2022 97.38 15th 663 97.7%
2023 97.54 12th 657 98.2%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 85.87 461st 4830 90.5%
2019 86.57 440th 4963 91.1%
2022 92.64 269th 5084 94.7%
2023 90.97 316th 5079 93.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Birney Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.99 515th 2737 81.2%
2019 81.39 423rd 2834 85.1%
2022 92.01 56th 2726 97.9%
2023 92.60 37th 2659 98.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Birney Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
67%

0%

0%

33%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Open Quote Birney is an amazing school. If you really want to embrace diversity, there's a whole world on the blacktop at Birney. The staff and teachers are all focused on those long-term IB characteristics: not just doing what the students need to succeed this semester, but what will support them through the rest of their academic life. The Birney community is committed to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, so much so that when funding was cut for all the specials that make the IB program (art, Spanish, music, etc.) the parents and staff rallied and raised the money to pay for those classes and keep the IB accreditation. Since funding is based on attendance, attendance does get a lot of attention at Birney, but it's working. Birney's had the best attendance rates in the district for a couple years now.

If you haven't read up on the IB program, Google it for all the details. The IB program is not just something the kids learn explicitly in class and never use outside of class; everything at Birney goes back to those principles. For example, I saw two kids running between classes, and a parent told them to walk. When they thought they were out of eyesight, they began running again. Another staff member saw them and said, "Be principled and walk. Being principled means we follow the rules even when no one is watching us." What could have just been another scolding became an IB moment.

Lastly, as an IB magnet, Birney offers a clear feeder path through middle (Roosevelt) and high school (San Diego High), which is not something a kinder parent might think about when looking for an elementary school. Close Quote


by a student
Thursday, February 10, 2011

Open Quote I am currently a high school senior but my early school life through fourth grade was in Birney Elementary. I was very pleased how teacher and student connections were strong in this school and how there were after school classes for students who were behind. At this time of my life I was one of the students that took the after school help for second language learners. Here I was able to improve my literature skills. I remember that reading levels were based on alphabet letters. Before this program I was at level G, I believe. After the program was over I had already reached level M. I know that thanks to special programs for kids that are behind, Birney has helped me get to where I currently am. Today, I am enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program and have gained acceptance to Point Loma Nazarene University. I do recommend this school for parents who want their children to grow academically. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, November 15, 2010

Open Quote Student to teacher ratio is high, both grades my son has been in have no real structure only thing principle cares about is attendance so school can receive government funds. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Birney Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 318 89 113 160 1 n/a n/a 0 681
1989 323 103 83 175 1 n/a n/a 0 685
1990 332 145 57 181 4 n/a n/a 0 719
1991 326 164 56 223 3 n/a n/a 0 772
1992 306 170 56 280 1 n/a n/a 0 813
1993 314 202 53 312 4 n/a n/a 0 885
1994 313 228 44 352 7 n/a n/a 0 944
1995 245 207 30 356 8 n/a n/a 0 846
1996 245 207 30 356 8 n/a n/a 0 846
1997 211 229 45 391 12 n/a n/a 0 888
1998 150 178 47 413 8 n/a n/a 0 796
1999 143 141 45 401 7 n/a n/a 0 737
2000 114 111 36 326 6 n/a n/a 0 593
2001 105 136 43 342 7 n/a n/a 0 633
2002 87 86 42 353 4 n/a n/a 0 572
2003 87 86 42 353 4 n/a n/a 0 572
2004 85 66 40 358 2 n/a n/a 0 551
2005 67 59 36 307 3 n/a n/a 0 472
2006 64 49 21 184 4 n/a n/a 0 322
2007 59 48 24 160 2 n/a n/a 13 306
2008 80 60 20 174 4 n/a n/a 0 338
2009 83 79 29 171 4 5 0 0 371
2010 92 63 25 188 1 5 33 0 407
2011 113 72 20 207 1 1 43 0 457
2012 147 77 23 210 2 3 36 0 498
2013 176 88 20 238 2 1 40 0 565
2014 194 79 18 229 1 2 43 0 566
2015 196 85 12 225 1 4 42 0 565
2016 189 86 10 202 1 3 50 0 541
2017 203 79 14 209 1 1 53 0 560
2018 195 71 14 182 2 1 73 0 538
2019 195 66 15 181 3 0 84 0 544
2020 200 53 22 199 4 0 82 0 560
2021 187 48 25 198 3 0 76 1 538
2022 180 49 23 185 3 0 73 0 513
2023 166 49 12 189 2 1 82 0 501

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Birney Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 681 25.1 27.1 n/a
1989 685 26.2 26.1 n/a
1990 719 28.1 25.5 n/a
1991 772 28.2 27.3 n/a
1992 813 28.7 28.3 70
1993 885 32.2 27.5 77.2
1994 944 34.0 27.8 78.7
1995 846 33.0 25.6 86.6
1996 846 33.0 25.6 86.6
1997 888 37.0 24.0 87.8
1998 796 41.0 19.4 89.6
1999 737 35.0 21.1 89
2000 593 31.0 19.1 85.5
2001 633 33.0 19.2 76.8
2002 572 35.0 16.3 85.5
2003 572 35.0 16.3 85.5
2004 551 32.0 17.2 79.1
2005 472 31.0 15.2 84.1
2006 322 26.0 12.4 83.9
2007 306 25.7 11.9 81.6
2008 338 26.0 13.0 76.9
2009 371 25.7 12.3 72.2
2010 407 23.0 17.7 68.1
2011 457 n/a n/a 67.6
2012 498 23.8 20.9 n/a
2013 565 24.8 22.7 57
2014 566 22.0 25.7 56.2
2015 565 21.0 26.9 52.2
2016 541 22.0 24.5 53
2017 560 23.0 24.3 46.4
2018 538 21.3 25.2 45
2019 544 21.0 25.9 48
2020 560 n/a n/a 44.1
2021 538 22.0 24.4 41.4
2022 513 22.0 23.3 42.9
2023 501 21.0 23.8 39.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Birney Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 681 25.1 27.1 n/a
1989 685 26.2 26.1 n/a
1990 719 28.1 25.5 n/a
1991 772 28.2 27.3 n/a
1992 813 28.7 28.3 70
1993 885 32.2 27.5 77.2
1994 944 34.0 27.8 78.7
1995 846 33.0 25.6 86.6
1996 846 33.0 25.6 86.6
1997 888 37.0 24.0 87.8
1998 796 41.0 19.4 89.6
1999 737 35.0 21.1 89
2000 593 31.0 19.1 85.5
2001 633 33.0 19.2 76.8
2002 572 35.0 16.3 85.5
2003 572 35.0 16.3 85.5
2004 551 32.0 17.2 79.1
2005 472 31.0 15.2 84.1
2006 322 26.0 12.4 83.9
2007 306 25.7 11.9 81.6
2008 338 26.0 13.0 76.9
2009 371 25.7 12.3 72.2
2010 407 23.0 17.7 68.1
2011 457 n/a n/a 67.6
2012 498 23.8 20.9 n/a
2013 565 24.8 22.7 57
2014 566 22.0 25.7 56.2
2015 565 21.0 26.9 52.2
2016 541 22.0 24.5 53
2017 560 23.0 24.3 46.4
2018 538 21.3 25.2 45
2019 544 21.0 25.9 48
2020 560 n/a n/a 44.1
2021 538 22.0 24.4 41.4
2022 513 22.0 23.3 42.9
2023 501 21.0 23.8 39.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

Birney Elementary

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPolioHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMMR
201269.0%0.0%0.0%31.0%80.0%77.0%91.0%78.0%88.0%
201372.0%7.0%0.0%22.0%81.0%82.0%86.0%80.0%80.0%
201478.0%9.0%0.0%13.0%84.0%79.0%82.0%78.0%79.0%
201565.0%10.0%0.0%24.0%76.0%79.0%86.0%73.0%72.0%
201694.0%3.0%0.0%0.0%94.0%94.0%94.0%94.0%94.0%
201791.0%1.0%3.0%4.0%95.0%91.0%97.0%96.0%95.0%
201898.0%0.0%0.0%2.0%≥99.0%98.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%
201997.0%2.0%1.0%97.0%98.0%97.0%98.0%97.0%
202095.7%1.7%2.6%97.4%96.5%96.5%97.4%97.4%

Data source: California Department of Public Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Birney Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $7,459

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Birney Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 808th of 5789 Elementary schoolsRanks 590th of 5848 Elementary schools
 3.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Birney Elementary)64.571.4
 6.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Diego Unified)56.253.6
 2.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.543
 5.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Birney Elementary)68.871.4
 2.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (San Diego Unified)60.455
 5.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (California)50.245.1
 5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Birney Elementary)74.280
 5.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Diego Unified)56.851.1
 5.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.543.7
 5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Birney Elementary)7364.7
 8.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (San Diego Unified)5550
 5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (California)44.940.8
 4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Birney Elementary)6970.4
 1.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Diego Unified)6055.6
 4.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Birney Elementary)63.461.4
 2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (San Diego Unified)50.742.5
 8.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (Birney Elementary)57.868.6
 10.8%
   5th Grade Science (San Diego Unified)39.940
 0.2%
   5th Grade Science (California)31.731.9
 0.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students544501
 7.9%
African American6649
 25.8%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian1512
 20%
Hispanic181189
 4.4%
Pacific Islander01
White195166
 14.9%
Two or More Races8482
 2.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients48%39.7%
 8.3%


Schools Near Birney Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Birney Elementary

Students at Birney Elementary are 38% Hispanic, 33% White, 16% Two or more races, 10% African American, 2% Asian.

Birney Elementary ranks 597th of 5868 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Birney Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Roosevelt International Middle
High : San Diego High

In the 2022-23 school year, 501 students attended Birney Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data 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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