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Email BoardHoward Pence Elementary
877 Via Tonga Court, San Diego, CA 92154-2256
Summary
Howard Pence Elementary is badly underperforming.
Reading and math results average to the 15th percentile among comparable California schools.
Only 30.9% of students met California's reading standard, but it is trending up.
Math is weaker: 15.1% of students met California's math standard, but it is trending up slightly.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 30.9% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 15.1% |
| Reading State Rank | 3,541/4,657 (24th percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 4,334/4,657 (7th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 21:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 419 |
| Low-Income Students | 301 (71.8%) |
| English Learners | 200 (47.7%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading rose 6.7 points from last year and rose 6.8 points over the full period. Math rose 1.0 points from last year and rose 1.5 points over the full period.
•Math +1.5 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Only one group has a reportable reading result.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the reading standard ranges from 14.8% to 43.6% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank No. 3,541 of 4,657 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 10.0-point reading income gap is narrower than the 17.6-point gap at a typical California K–6 school. It widened over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
8.0% of English learners meet the reading standard, compared with 39.0% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
Only one group has a reportable math result.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the math standard ranges from 7.3% to 21.9% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank No. 4,334 of 4,657 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 10.5-point math income gap is narrower than the 17.5-point gap at a typical California K–6 school. It widened over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
2.0% of English learners meet the math standard, compared with 22.1% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Progress as students move up
2023–2026
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 1,479 schools for reading and 1,483 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California K–6 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does Howard Pence Elementary compare within the district?
Howard Pence Elementary is No. 5 in reading and No. 8 in math proficiency among the 9 K–6 schools in South Bay Union with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Howard Pence Elementary rank in California?
Howard Pence Elementary ranks No. 3,541 of 4,657 in reading and No. 4,334 of 4,657 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Howard Pence Elementary compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 5 in reading and No. 9 in math among 9 K–6 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 27.9% meet the reading standard and 11.6% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Howard Pence Elementary compare with other schools in San Diego?
Howard Pence Elementary is No. 15 in reading and No. 18 in math proficiency among the 19 K–6 schools in San Diego with 2026 results.
Explore schools in San DiegoHow does Howard Pence Elementary compare with other schools in San Diego County?
Howard Pence Elementary is No. 95 in reading and No. 112 in math proficiency among the 116 K–6 schools in San Diego County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in San Diego CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving K–6 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Pence ElementaryThis school | 15.1% | 30.9% |
| Emory Elementary | 27.4% | 45.5% |
| Godfrey G. Berry Elementary | 19.9% | 25.3% |
