Magnolia Elementary

Magnolia Elementary sits in the heart of El Cajon, a diverse and working-class city in San Diego's East County that has a strong sense of community even as it faces real socioeconomic challenges. The school's science scores show some genuine bright spots compared to its English and math numbers, but families considering it should know they'll likely want to stay closely involved in their child's academic progress. El Cajon has an affordable cost of living relative to the rest of San Diego County, and for families already rooted in the area, Magnolia can be a starting point — though supplementing at home or through outside resources will make a meaningful difference.