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W. R. Nelson Elementary

Q: Is W. R. Nelson Elementary a good school?

W. R. Nelson Elementary ranks 3632 nd of 5817 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

3632^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,817 California Elementary Schools

Better than 38% of California elementary schools

Summary

W. R. Nelson Elementary serves 460 students in grades K–5 in Tustin, within Tustin Unified. In 2025–26, its proficiency rates were below both the state and district in English language arts (ELA), math, and science. The key concern for families is that Nelson’s results remain behind both comparisons in every reported subject.

Math is Nelson’s strongest subject relative to nearby schools and to state and district results, while science is its weakest. Nelson’s proficiency was 32% in math, compared with 38% statewide and 56% in Tustin Unified; its shortfall against the state was smallest in math, at 7 points. In ELA, Nelson scored 38% versus 49% statewide and 64% in the district; in science, it scored 24% versus 36% statewide and 50% in the district. Among nine nearby Tustin Unified K–5 schools, including Nelson, it ranked sixth in ELA and science and seventh in math. Nearby-school averages were 49% in ELA, 48% in math, and 39% in science, putting Nelson 11, 16, and 15 points below those averages, respectively.

Nelson’s scores have risen since 2022–23: ELA gained 9 points, math 9, and science 3. Its state gaps narrowed in ELA and math but widened in science, from 9 points to 12. SchoolDigger’s overall rating improved from the 23rd percentile and 1 star in 2023–24 to the 38th percentile and 2 stars in 2025–26, though Nelson ranked sixth among the nine nearby schools. SchoolDigger’s ranking for Low Socio Economic Status Students rose to the 49th percentile in 2025–26, compared with the school’s overall 38th percentile; its English Language Learner Students ranking was more volatile, falling from the 72nd percentile in 2022–23 to the 14th in 2023–24. As context, 87% of Nelson students were free/reduced lunch eligible in 2024–25, and its 2024–25 student–teacher ratio was 25.5:1—lower than four and higher than three nearby schools. These measures describe context, not causes of achievement results.

460

Students ?

25.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,753

Per pupil spending ?

87.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in California receive free school meals.

92%

Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2024-25)

Exemptions: 0% (any vaccine)

14392 Browning Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780-6338

(714) 730-7536

District: Tustin Unified

Students who attend W. R. Nelson Elementary usually attend:

High:

Tustin High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

78.9%

Asian:

8.0%

White:

6.7%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare W. R. Nelson Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 23rd percentile in 2024 → 38th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 38th (2026) from a 23rd-percentile low (2024)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (33% vs 42% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Science scores 12 pts below the California average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg58%

California avg42%

3,632^nd of 5,817

California public elementary schools ?

Bottom 38%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 47% (2016) to bottom 38% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

15^th of 18Elementary Schools in the Tustin Unified

365^th of 1,530Tustin 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	34.4	3632 of 5817	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	25.2	4380 of 5857	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.7	4502 of 5869	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.5	4403 of 5859	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.2	4228 of 5883	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.7	4038 of 5789	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.5	3308 of 5662	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	43.5	2894 of 5692	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	47.5	2629 of 5614	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	45.6	2703 of 5611	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	55.6	2377 of 5530	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	61.9	1943 of 5390	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	61.9	1910 of 5377	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	68.4	1541 of 5314	71.0%	★★★★☆
2009	72.2	1340 of 5193	74.2%	★★★★☆
2008	75.9	1145 of 5113	77.6%	★★★★☆
2007	68.5	1435 of 5113	71.9%	★★★★☆
2006	72.2	1252 of 4818	74.0%	★★★★☆
2005	74.6	1139 of 4822	76.4%	★★★★☆
2004	69.6	1316 of 4809	72.6%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2019	18.1	2492 of 2585	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	23.2	1802 of 2128	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	27.5	2721 of 3162	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	56.9	910 of 3245	72.0%	★★★★☆
2022	28.7	2706 of 3311	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.9	2417 of 3275	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	53.1	1121 of 3246	65.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	38.8	3189 of 5581	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	27.0	4083 of 5597	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.2	4054 of 5612	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.7	3996 of 5609	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.8	3946 of 5635	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.1	3661 of 5492	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.2	3137 of 5413	42.0%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	44.1	2736 of 5094	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	29.4	3799 of 5107	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.7	3899 of 5107	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.2	3772 of 5087	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.1	3948 of 5084	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.6	3581 of 4963	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	40.2	2848 of 4830	41.0%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	45.3	2773 of 5423	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.7	3930 of 5460	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.5	4414 of 5517	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.8	3747 of 5363	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	28.8	3937 of 5264	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.9	3936 of 5173	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.3	3065 of 5084	39.7%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	30.0	3883 of 5603	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	24.4	4347 of 5628	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.8	4554 of 5643	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	23.2	4414 of 5638	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.7	4162 of 5663	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	27.2	4005 of 5510	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	36.6	3240 of 5431	40.3%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2026	32.0	1962 of 2927	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.6	1958 of 2847	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	21.7	2306 of 2635	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	23.3	2006 of 2420	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)49th percentile+11 vs school

Hispanic (2026)46th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)43rd percentile+5 vs school

Special Education (2026)33rd percentile-5 vs school

Male (2026)31st percentile-7 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)14th percentile-9 vs school

Disabled (2019)4th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs California (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy38%-11 vs state

Mathematics32%-7 vs state

Science24%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near W. R. Nelson 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 Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				CAST Science (2026)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2026)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)							Vaccination (2024-25)		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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	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	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
W. R. Nelson Elementary	Public	K-5	14392 Browning Ave.	Tustin	92780	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 730-7536	460	18	25.5	87.2%	31 (6.7%)	2 (0.4%)	363 (78.9%)	37 (8.0%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (5.4%)	34.4	3632^nd of 5817 public elementary schools	37.6%		25.2	4380^th of 5857 public elementary schools	25.2%	748	23.9		23.9	45.3	37.0	32.4				38.0	35.8	30.1	29.6				31.8	92%	0%	$18,753	$17,550	$1,203
Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary	Public	K-5	1362 Mitchell Ave.	Tustin	92780	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 730-7385	426	17	25.0	90.8%	16 (3.8%)	7 (1.6%)	366 (85.9%)	27 (6.3%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.6%)	55	2323^rd of 5817 public elementary schools	60.1%		31.3	3855^th of 5857 public elementary schools	34.2%	1532	29.7		29.7	46.2	40.9	58.7				48.4	52.8	40.3	45.3				45.5	95%	0%	$19,373	$18,160	$1,213
Sycamore Magnet Academy	Public	K-8	1402 Sycamore Ave.	Tustin	92780	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 730-7360	1,085	43	25.1	87.2%	37 (3.4%)	8 (0.7%)	1,001 (92.3%)	18 (1.7%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	18 (1.7%)	17.6	5014^th of 5817 public elementary schools	13.8%		14.3	5323^rd of 5857 public elementary schools	9.1%	309	19.4	14.0	15.9	20.7	32.2	28.6	23.4	28.5	26.9	26.6	23.2	23.3	19.4	12.9	11.4	18.6	17.2	95%	0%	$20,130	$18,764	$1,366
Heritage Elementary	Public	K-5	15400 Lansdowne Rd.	Tustin	92782	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 430-2066	567	21	27.0	32.5%	112 (19.8%)	5 (0.9%)	115 (20.3%)	261 (46.0%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	70 (12.3%)	93.7	426^th of 5817 public elementary schools	92.7%		92	544^th of 5857 public elementary schools	90.7%	118	68.2		68.2	73.3	73.3	78.4				75.0	80.0	68.9	72.7				73.9	≥ 99%		$16,780	$15,872	$908
Tustin Ranch Elementary	Public	K-5	12950 Robinson Dr.	Tustin	92780	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 730-7580	520	20	26.0	61.3%	107 (20.6%)	16 (3.1%)	265 (51.0%)	84 (16.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	45 (8.7%)	61.8	2006^th of 5817 public elementary schools	65.5%		67.4	1720^th of 5857 public elementary schools	70.6%	286	41.9		41.9	40.5	45.2	58.1				48.4	55.4	54.0	40.7				49.8	98%	0%	$18,415	$17,276	$1,139
College Park Elementary	Public	K-6	3700 Chaparral Ave.	Irvine	92606	Orange County	Irvine Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(949) 936-5550	430	16	26.1	19.3%	106 (24.7%)	9 (2.1%)	77 (17.9%)	197 (45.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	39 (9.1%)	90.9	591^st of 5817 public elementary schools	89.8%		90.5	627^th of 5857 public elementary schools	89.3%	36	63.1		63.1	70.9	67.3	65.9	76.6			70.0	81.5	75.0	61.9	68.8			70.5	97%	0%	$16,902	$16,524	$378
Irvine Unified School District Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual	K-6	3700 Chaparral Ave.	Irvine	92606	Orange County	Irvine Unified	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(949) 936-5550	58	3	19.4	20.7%	11 (19.0%)	3 (5.2%)	19 (32.8%)	16 (27.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (15.5%)	92.5	504^th of 5817 public elementary schools	91.3%		91.8	560^th of 5857 public elementary schools	90.4%	56	76.5		76.5	91.7	75.0	70.6	75.0			77.2	66.7	83.3	58.8	68.8			68.4			$25,441	$24,400	$1,041
Tustin Memorial Elementary	Public	K-5	12712 Browning Ave.	Santa Ana	92705	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 730-7546	613	22	27.8	22.5%	130 (21.2%)	4 (0.7%)	69 (11.3%)	322 (52.5%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	85 (13.9%)	98.8	27^th of 5817 public elementary schools	99.5%		97.7	102^nd of 5857 public elementary schools	98.3%	75	80.2		80.2	87.6	83.0	96.9				88.9	96.2	89.6	90.6				92.2	≥ 99%		$16,502	$15,594	$908
Robert Heideman Elementary	Public	K-5	15571 Williams St.	Tustin	92780	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 730-7521	502	19	26.4	97.0%	9 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	469 (93.4%)	8 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.8%)	33.6	3695^th of 5817 public elementary schools	36.5%		23.5	4544^th of 5857 public elementary schools	22.4%	849	17.0		17.0	45.2	31.4	32.6				36.2	48.0	27.1	30.1				34.8	97%	0%	$21,049	$19,826	$1,223
Barbara Benson Elementary	Public	K-5	12712 Elizabeth Way	Tustin	92780	Orange County	Tustin Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(714) 730-7531	313	14	22.3	73.2%	43 (13.7%)	4 (1.3%)	222 (70.9%)	26 (8.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	15 (4.8%)	51.9	2502^nd of 5817 public elementary schools	57.0%		49.6	2617^th of 5857 public elementary schools	55.3%	115	51.4		51.4	26.3	29.3	62.9				38.6	50.0	34.2	51.4				44.7	≥ 98%		$17,925	$16,838	$1,087

Frequently Asked Questions about W. R. Nelson Elementary

What schools do graduates of W. R. Nelson Elementary attend?

Students who attend W. R. Nelson Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Tustin High

Is W. R. Nelson Elementary a good school?

W. R. Nelson Elementary ranks 3632^nd of 5817 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend W. R. Nelson Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 460 students attended W. R. Nelson Elementary.

What district is W. R. Nelson Elementary in?

Tustin Unified

What is the racial makeup of W. R. Nelson Elementary?

Students at W. R. Nelson Elementary are 79% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 7% White, 5% Two or more races.

Rate W. R. Nelson Elementary!

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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.