US Post Office-El Centro Main · Photo: Cbl62 · CC BY-SA 3.0El Centro’s public schools score below 67% of California districts on tests and graduation
In El Centro, 20% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving El Centro, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
El Centro’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Central Union High spends $20,868 per student and El Centro Elementary $20,338, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences, Imperial Valley Home School Academy and St. Mary S School (private) are in town. Mt. Signal Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind El Centro’s grade
C: better than 33% of California school districts, #723 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve El Centro, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in El Centro · depends on your address
Wilson Jr. High
Grades 7–8 · 605 students · 19:1 students per teacher
De Anza Magnet
Grades K–8 · 504 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Kennedy Middle
Grades 7–8 · 434 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in El Centro · depends on your address
Wilson Jr. High
Grades 7–8 · 605 students · 19:1 students per teacher
De Anza Magnet
Grades K–8 · 504 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Kennedy Middle
Grades 7–8 · 434 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in El Centro · depends on your address
Central Union High
Grades 9–12 · 2,006 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Southwest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in El Centro · depends on your address
Central Union High
Grades 9–12 · 2,006 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Southwest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in El Centro · depends on your address
Central Union High
Grades 9–12 · 2,006 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Southwest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in El Centro · depends on your address
Central Union High
Grades 9–12 · 2,006 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Southwest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 20:1 students per teacher
El Centro runs its own schools through grade 8 (El Centro Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Central Union High School District, shared with Imperial. Parts of El Centro (19% and 14% of its land) are served by McCabe Union Elementary and Meadows Union Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve El Centro
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
El Centro vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share El Centro’s borders.
Every school in El Centro
19 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Imperial Valley ROP, Phoenix Rising High and El Centro District Wide Preschool).
Questions about El Centro’s schools
Are El Centro’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools El Centro children attend score below 67% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #723 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is El Centro in?
Two districts: El Centro Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Central Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Imperial.
Where do El Centro kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Central Union High and Southwest High.
What is El Centro’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Central Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does El Centro spend per student?
$20,868 in Central Union High School District and $20,338 in El Centro Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in El Centro?
Yes: St. Mary S School (Catholic, grades K–8, 168 students). El Centro also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What El Centro families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near El Centro → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.