For the 2025 school year, there are 25 public schools serving 11,697 students in El Centro, CA (there are 2 private schools, serving 303 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in El Centro, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in El Centro, CA are Mccabe Elementary School, Southwest High 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 schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in El Centro have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in El Centro, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mccabe Elementary School
(Math: 44% | 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
Grades: K-8
| 1,164 students
Rank: #22.
Southwest High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2001 Ocotillo Dr.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4100
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4100
Grades: 9-12
| 1,842 students
Rank: #33.
Imperial Valley Home School Academy
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2370 Main St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 335-5100
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 335-5100
Grades: K-8
| 134 students
Rank: #44.
Sunflower Elementary School
(Math: 31% | 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
Grades: K-6
| 398 students
Rank: #55.
Central Union High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1001 Brighton Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4300
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,955 students
Rank: #66.
Harding Elementary School
(Math: 24% | 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
Grades: K-6
| 585 students
Rank: #77.
De Anza Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | 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
Grades: K-8
| 492 students
Rank: #88.
Desert Garden Elementary School
(Math: 25% | 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
Grades: K-6
| 371 students
Rank: #99.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1177 North Eighth St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-3225
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-3225
Grades: K-6
| 456 students
Rank: #1010.
Wilson Jr. High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 South Wilson
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5341
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5341
Grades: 7-8
| 641 students
Rank: #1111.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1950 Villa Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-6555
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-6555
Grades: K-6
| 415 students
Rank: #1212.
Meadows Elementary School
(Math: 24% | 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
Grades: K-8
| 370 students
Rank: #1313.
Desert Oasis High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1302 South Third St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4555
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4555
Grades: 9-12
| 131 students
Rank: #1414.
Kennedy Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
900 North Sixth St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-0444
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-0444
Grades: 7-8
| 438 students
Rank: #1515.
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
Grades: K-6
| 436 students
Rank: #1616.
Margaret Hedrick Elementary School
(Math: 14% | 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
Grades: K-6
| 460 students
Rank: #1717.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
223 South First St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-6611
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-6611
Grades: K-6
| 356 students
Rank: #1818.
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
Grades: K-12
| 219 students
Rank: #1919.
Imperial County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: 6-9% | 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
Grades: K-12
| 491 students
Rank: n/an/a
1256 Broadway
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5712
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5712
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
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
Grades: K-12
| 7 students
Rank: n/an/a
Imperial Pathways Charter
Charter School
1398 Sperber Rd.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-5566
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-5566
Grades: 9-12
| 241 students
Rank: n/an/a
Imperial Valley Rop
Vocational School
687 State St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 482-2600
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 482-2600
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy
Alternative School
2345 South Second St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-7050
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-7050
Grades: 9-12
| 71 students
Rank: n/an/a
Phoenix Rising High School
Alternative School
1302 South Third St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4555
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4555
Grades: 9-10
| 24 students
El Centro, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1302 South Third St
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4544
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4544
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1150 N. Imperial Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 592-7250
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 592-7250
Grades: K-8
| 829 students
2295 West Vaughn Rd
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 353-0062
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 353-0062
Grades: K-5
| 32 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in El Centro, CA?
The top ranked public schools in El Centro, CA include Mccabe Elementary School, Southwest High School and Imperial Valley Home School Academy.
How many public schools are located in El Centro?
25 public schools are located in El Centro.
What percentage of students in El Centro go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in El Centro are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in El Centro?
El Centro public schools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in El Centro are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in El Centro include: Harding Elementary School vs. Desert Garden Elementary School, Southwest High School vs. Central Union High School, Central Union High School vs. Southwest High School
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