For the 2026 school year, there are 25 public schools serving 11,150 students in El Centro, CA (there are 2 private schools, serving 280 private students). 98% 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 Sunflower Elementary School. 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 27% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in El Centro have an average ranking of 5/10, 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 (2026)
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 | 1,109 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #22.
Southwest High School
(Math: 26% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,846 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #33.
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 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #44.
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 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 2,006 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
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 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
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 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #88.
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: #99.
Wilson Jr. High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 South Wilson
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5341
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 352-5341
Gr: 7-8 | 605 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #1212.
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 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1313.
Kennedy Middle School
(Math: 18% | 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
Gr: 7-8 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
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 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
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
Gr: K-6 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Desert Oasis High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1302 South Third St.
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4555
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-4555
Gr: 9-12 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
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 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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
Gr: K-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1919.
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
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 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
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
Gr: 9-12 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
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
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Mt. Signal Virtual Academy
Alternative School
1001 Brighton Avenue Tr. 25
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-7050
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 312-7050
Gr: 9-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
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
Gr: 9-10 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
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 Sunflower Elementary School.
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?
98% 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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