Howard Pence Elementary School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2026)

877 Via Tonga Ct.
San Diego, CA 92154

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Serving 462 students in grades Kindergarten-6, Howard Pence Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 10% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving is 21% (which is lower than the California state average of 47%).

The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.

Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Kindergarten-6
Enrollment: 462 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
Minority Enrollment: 98%
: Bottom 50% in CA
: 10% (Btm 50%)
: 21% (Btm 50%)
: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

School Overview

Howard Pence Elementary School's student population of 462 students has declined by 13% over five school years.

The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-6

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Howard Pence Elementary School
Kind	71
1	54
2	46
3	63
4	67
5	69
6	92

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Total Students

462 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School
2023	495
2022	513
2021	532
2020	663
2019	663
2018	680
2017	680
2016	701
2015	671
2014	655
2013	656
2012	627
2011	642
2010	656
2009	564
2008	637
2007	700
2006	733
2005	796
2004	789
2003	806
2002	865
2001	878
2000	887
1999	894
1998	901
1997	892
1996	899
1995	894
1994	889
1993	870
1992	884
1991	841
1990	793
1989	777
1988	722
1987	673

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

18 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School
2023	20
2022	21
2021	23
2020	28
2019	28
2018	27
2017	27
2016	27
2015	31
2014	32
2013	32
2012	31
2010	35
2009	30
2008	32
2007	32
2006	34
2005	36
2004	37
2003	39
2002	41
2001	40
2000	41
1999	42
1998	41
1997	33
1996	33
1995	33
1994	32
1993	31
1992	32
1991	31
1990	29

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School Calendar

Last Day of School

Sat. Jun 6, 2026

School Rankings

Howard Pence Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Howard Pence Elementary School is 0.15, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (CA)

#8791 out of 9523 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School
2023	#8791
2022	#8727
2021	#3419
2019	#6524
2018	#6847
2017	#5541
2016	#6601
2015	#6727
2013	#6782
2012	#5901
2011	#6511

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10%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	10%	34%	22%
2022	11%	33%	19%
2021	11%	34%	15%
2019	31%	40%	30%
2018	24%	39%	28%
2017	30%	38%	29%
2016	21%	37%	27%
2015	18%	34%	23%
2013	45%	59%	53%
2012	56%	59%	59%
2011	53%	58%	56%

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21%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2022)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2022	21%	47%	29%
2021	17%	49%	22%
2019	34%	51%	36%
2018	34%	50%	28%
2017	37%	48%	35%
2016	34%	48%	38%
2015	24%	44%	32%
2013	42%	57%	45%
2012	45%	58%	50%
2011	42%	56%	46%
2010	47%	54%	47%

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6-9%

29%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2022	7%	29%	16%
2021	7%	28%	13%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

26:1

21:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	25:1	22:1	24:1
2022	24:1	21:1	24:1
2021	23:1	22:1	24:1
2020	24:1	23:1	24:1
2019	24:1	23:1	24:1
2018	25:1	23:1	24:1
2017	25:1	23:1	24:1
2016	26:1	24:1	26:1
2015	22:1	24:1	24:1
2014	20:1	24:1	24:1
2013	21:1	24:1	24:1
2012	20:1	23:1	24:1
2010	19:1	21:1	21:1
2009	19:1	20:1	21:1
2008	20:1	18:1	20:1
2007	22:1	21:1	21:1
2006	22:1	20:1	21:1
2005	22:1	21:1	21:1
2004	21:1	21:1	21:1
2003	21:1	20:1	21:1
2002	21:1	20:1	20:1
2001	22:1	20:1	21:1
2000	22:1	21:1	20:1
1999	21:1	21:1	20:1
1998	22:1	21:1	21:1
1997	27:1	23:1	25:1
1996	27:1	25:1	25:1
1995	27:1	25:1	25:1
1994	28:1	25:1	25:1
1993	28:1	25:1	25:1
1992	28:1	24:1	26:1
1991	27:1	24:1	25:1
1990	27:1	24:1	26:1

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American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2022)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2022	1%	1%
2003	1%	2%

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Asian

12%

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Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	3%	12%	3%
2022	5%	12%	3%
2021	5%	12%	4%
2020	4%	12%	4%
2019	4%	12%	4%
2018	6%	11%	5%
2017	6%	11%	5%
2016	6%	11%	4%
2015	7%	11%	6%
2014	6%	11%	5%
2013	7%	11%	6%
2012	7%	11%	6%
2011	7%	11%	6%
2010	8%	11%	6%
2009	10%	11%	7%
2008	9%	12%	8%
2007	11%	12%	7%
2006	12%	12%	8%
2005	12%	12%	8%
2004	12%	12%	9%
2003	12%	11%	8%
2002	20%	11%	9%
2001	13%	11%	8%
2000	13%	11%	9%
1999	14%	11%	10%
1998	16%	11%	10%
1997	17%	11%	11%
1996	16%	11%	11%
1995	17%	11%	11%
1994	17%	11%	12%
1993	16%	11%	12%
1992	17%	11%	12%
1991	17%	11%	12%

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Hispanic

92%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	92%	55%	85%
2022	90%	56%	85%
2021	90%	56%	84%
2020	91%	55%	84%
2019	91%	55%	84%
2018	90%	54%	84%
2017	90%	54%	84%
2016	90%	54%	84%
2015	86%	54%	68%
2014	88%	53%	81%
2013	86%	53%	81%
2012	85%	52%	81%
2011	84%	51%	79%
2010	84%	50%	79%
2009	81%	49%	79%
2008	84%	50%	79%
2007	83%	49%	78%
2006	83%	48%	78%
2005	82%	47%	77%
2004	82%	46%	76%
2003	79%	45%	75%
2002	71%	44%	72%
2001	77%	43%	73%
2000	75%	42%	70%
1999	73%	41%	68%
1998	73%	40%	66%
1997	72%	40%	65%
1996	70%	39%	62%
1995	68%	38%	61%
1994	67%	37%	59%
1993	67%	36%	56%
1992	63%	35%	55%
1991	64%	34%	53%

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Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	2%	5%	2%
2022	1%	5%	2%
2021	2%	5%	2%
2020	3%	5%	3%
2019	3%	5%	3%
2018	2%	6%	2%
2017	2%	6%	2%
2016	2%	6%	2%
2015	2%	6%	4%
2014	2%	6%	3%
2013	2%	6%	3%
2012	2%	6%	3%
2011	4%	7%	4%
2010	4%	7%	4%
2009	5%	7%	4%
2008	5%	8%	4%
2007	4%	8%	4%
2006	3%	8%	4%
2005	4%	8%	5%
2004	3%	8%	4%
2003	4%	8%	5%
2002	5%	8%	6%
2001	5%	8%	5%
2000	6%	9%	5%
1999	7%	9%	6%
1998	5%	9%	6%
1997	5%	9%	6%
1996	7%	9%	8%
1995	7%	9%	6%
1994	6%	9%	6%
1993	7%	9%	5%
1992	7%	9%	6%
1991	6%	9%	6%

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White

20%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	1%	21%	7%
2022	1%	21%	7%
2021	1%	22%	7%
2020	1%	23%	7%
2019	1%	23%	7%
2018	1%	24%	7%
2017	1%	24%	7%
2016	1%	24%	8%
2015	2%	24%	10%
2014	3%	25%	9%
2013	3%	25%	8%
2012	3%	26%	8%
2011	3%	27%	9%
2010	3%	27%	9%
2009	3%	28%	9%
2008	2%	29%	9%
2007	2%	29%	9%
2006	2%	31%	10%
2005	2%	31%	10%
2004	3%	32%	11%
2003	4%	34%	12%
2002	4%	35%	13%
2001	5%	36%	14%
2000	6%	37%	15%
1999	6%	38%	16%
1998	6%	39%	17%
1997	6%	39%	18%
1996	7%	40%	18%
1995	8%	41%	21%
1994	10%	42%	22%
1993	10%	43%	25%
1992	13%	44%	26%
1991	13%	45%	28%

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Hawaiian

n/a

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2013)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2013	1%	1%
2012	2%	1%	1%
2011	2%	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%	1%

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Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	2%	6%	3%
2022	2%	5%	3%
2021	2%	5%	3%
2020	1%	4%	2%
2019	1%	4%	2%
2018	1%	4%	2%
2017	1%	4%	2%
2016	1%	4%	2%
2015	3%	3%	4%
2014	1%	3%	2%
2013	1%	3%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.15

0.63

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	0.15	0.64	0.28
2022	0.19	0.63	0.27
2021	0.19	0.62	0.29
2020	0.17	0.63	0.29
2019	0.17	0.63	0.29
2018	0.19	0.64	0.29
2017	0.19	0.64	0.29
2016	0.19	0.64	0.30
2015	0.26	0.64	0.39
2014	0.22	0.65	0.33
2013	0.26	0.65	0.34
2012	0.27	0.65	0.34
2011	0.29	0.67	0.36
2010	0.29	0.67	0.36
2009	0.33	0.71	0.37
2008	0.29	0.65	0.37
2007	0.30	0.67	0.37
2006	0.30	0.66	0.38
2005	0.31	0.67	0.40
2004	0.32	0.67	0.41
2003	0.36	0.67	0.42
2002	0.46	0.67	0.46
2001	0.40	0.67	0.45
2000	0.42	0.67	0.48
1999	0.44	0.67	0.51
1998	0.44	0.67	0.52
1997	0.45	0.67	0.54
1996	0.48	0.67	0.57
1995	0.51	0.67	0.57
1994	0.51	0.67	0.59
1993	0.52	0.67	0.61
1992	0.56	0.67	0.61
1991	0.55	0.67	0.62

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Eligible for

62%

54%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	66%	51%	57%
2022	66%	51%	58%
2021	59%	53%	51%
2020	74%	52%	63%
2019	74%	52%	63%
2018	70%	49%	58%
2017	70%	49%	58%
2016	70%	50%	61%
2015	61%	50%	56%
2014	26%	49%	40%
2013	100%	48%	74%
2011	62%	46%	59%
2010	56%	46%	56%
2009	60%	43%	58%
2008	55%	41%	52%
2007	54%	40%	51%
2006	53%	40%	49%
2005	46%	40%	41%
2004	42%	40%	39%
2003	43%	39%	43%
2002	43%	39%	44%
2001	33%	39%	38%
2000	45%	40%	48%
1999	55%	40%	55%
1998	73%	47%	74%
1997	69%	47%	73%
1996	63%	46%	70%
1995	55%	45%	62%
1994	58%	43%	62%
1993	57%	41%	58%
1992	33%	38%	54%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2001-2023)
Year	Howard Pence Elementary School	California	South Bay Union School District
2023	8%	8%	7%
2022	9%	7%	8%
2021	1%	6%	4%
2020	10%	7%	10%
2019	10%	7%	10%
2018	5%	9%	7%
2017	5%	9%	7%
2016	5%	9%	9%
2015	7%	9%	11%
2014	3%	9%	9%
2011	17%	8%	17%
2010	20%	9%	18%
2009	19%	10%	21%
2008	20%	10%	21%
2007	16%	10%	19%
2006	15%	9%	18%
2005	14%	9%	16%
2004	18%	9%	16%
2003	19%	9%	18%
2002	17%	8%	17%
2001	12%	8%	14%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

South Bay Union School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Howard Pence Elementary School's ranking?

Howard Pence Elementary School is ranked #8791 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.

What schools are Howard Pence Elementary School often compared to?

Howard Pence Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Juarez-lincoln Elementary School, Sunnyslope Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 21% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).

How many students attend Howard Pence Elementary School?

462 students attend Howard Pence Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

92% of Howard Pence Elementary School students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Asian, 2% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Howard Pence Elementary School?

Howard Pence Elementary School has a student ration of 26:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.

What grades does Howard Pence Elementary School offer ?

Howard Pence Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-6

What school district is Howard Pence Elementary School part of?

Howard Pence Elementary School is part of South Bay Union School District.

In what neighborhood is Howard Pence Elementary School located?

Howard Pence Elementary School is located in the Otay Mesa West neighborhood of San Diego, CA. There are 7 other public schools located in Otay Mesa West.

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