For the 2025-26 school year, there are 15 public elementary schools serving 6,354 students in El Centro, CA.
The top ranked public elementary schools in El Centro, CA are Mccabe Elementary School, Sunflower Elementary School and Imperial Valley Home School Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
El Centro, CA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 45% statewide average). Elementary schools in El Centro have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in El Centro, CA (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mccabe Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
701 West Mccabe Rd.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5443
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5443
Gr: K-8 | 1,164 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #22.
Sunflower Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2450 Main St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-4890
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-4890
Gr: K-6 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #33.
Imperial Valley Home School Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2370 Main St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 335-5100
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 335-5100
Gr: K-8 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #44.
De Anza Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1530 South Waterman Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-9811
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-9811
Gr: K-8 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Harding Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
950 South Seventh St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-4791
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-4791
Gr: K-6 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #66.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1177 North Eighth St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-3225
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-3225
Gr: K-6 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #77.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1950 Villa Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-6555
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-6555
Gr: K-6 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #88.
Desert Garden Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1900 South Sixth St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-2051
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-2051
Gr: K-6 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Meadows Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2059 Bowker Rd.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-7512
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-7512
Gr: K-8 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1010.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
223 South First St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-6611
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-6611
Gr: K-6 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #1111.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 North Twelfth St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-3060
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-3060
Gr: K-6 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1212.
Margaret Hedrick Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
550 South Waterman Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-4750
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-4750
Gr: K-6 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Valley Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
253 East Ross Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-5525
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-5525
Gr: K-12 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
Imperial County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1398 Sperber Rd.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-6428
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-6428
Gr: K-12 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
Imperial County Juvenile Hall/community
Alternative School
1398 Sperber Rd.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-5525
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-5525
Gr: K-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
El Centro, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1150 N. Imperial Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 592-7250
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 592-7250
Gr: K-8 | 829 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
2295 West Vaughn Rd
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 353-0062
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 353-0062
Gr: K-5 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in El Centro, CA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in El Centro, CA include Mccabe Elementary School, Sunflower Elementary School and Imperial Valley Home School Academy.
How many public elementary schools are located in El Centro?
15 public elementary schools are located in El Centro.
What is the racial composition of students in El Centro?
El Centro public elementary schools minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in El Centro are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in El Centro include: Harding Elementary School vs. Desert Garden Elementary School, Desert Garden Elementary School vs. Harding Elementary School, Margaret Hedrick Elementary School vs. Sunflower Elementary School
Recent Articles
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
