At a glance
Reported students
456
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
18
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
25.3:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California elementary enrollment
50th percentile
Compared with 5,927 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
417
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary: 456 reported students.
State peer staffing position
87th percentile
25.3:1 reported; state peer median 22.4:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 407
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Student–teacher ratio
- 15.7:1
What the reported data says about Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary
Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in San Diego. It is one of 175 current school records connected to San Diego Unified. NCES reports 456 students for 2024–25.
Among 5,927 elementary schools in California with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 455 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 50th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 25.3:1, above the California median of 22.4:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (94.3%) and Black (3.1%). English learners represent 56% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.5%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary
- 1How do the reported 25.3:1 student–teacher ratio and 18 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 56%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.5%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 96.7%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.4
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 3
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White1.1%
- Hispanic94.3%
- Black3.1%
- Asian0.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial1.1%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in San Diego Unified
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Balboa Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
457 reported students
Hickman Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
457 reported students
Golden Hill K-8
Elementary · Grades KG–08
464 reported students
Torrey Pines Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
465 reported students
Barnard Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
473 reported students
Ocean Beach Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–04
432 reported students