The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary
Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary is a small public school in Chino serving kindergarten through sixth grade, with an enrollment drawn almost entirely from the surrounding area. The school sits in a rapidly growing mid-size city in the western Inland Empire, where former dairy land is converting to new residential development, particularly in master-planned communities like The Preserve, and where major employers range from distribution and logistics facilities to state correctional institutions and retail operations.
The school's student body is economically disadvantaged and linguistically concentrated. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's enrollment is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with very small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Data on the share of English learners and students with disabilities were not available, so families may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the support services in place.
State assessment results from 2024-25 show persistent academic strain. In English language arts, proficiency varies by grade, with third grade at the lowest level and grades four through six hovering around the middle level. In mathematics, proficiency is consistently low across all tested grades, ranging from low in grade four to very low in grades three, five, and six. Science proficiency, tested only in grade five, is also low. Overall, the school's proficiency index sits above the midpoint among schools in San Bernardino County, but this reflects a low bar rather than strong performance. A parent looking at these numbers should understand that only a small fraction of students at each grade level are meeting state proficiency standards, and the challenge is most acute in math.
The school operates within Chino Valley Unified, a district that has implemented a district-wide academic improvement approach focused on professional learning communities and mathematics instruction. The district publicly reported measurable gains in proficiency over recent years that outpaced the state. However, no prior-year trend data for this specific school was available, so it is unclear whether Borba has participated in or benefited from those improvements.
The broader context matters. Chino is one of California's fastest-growing cities, with active new residential construction and families arriving to the area. Housing prices and rents in the ZIP code are elevated relative to national benchmarks, though the area remains more affordable than much of California. The school's location on Riverside Drive puts it in a city where most errands and daily life require a car, though the older civic core along Central Avenue is more walkable.
The district has been the center of a prolonged governance dispute since 2023 over parental notification policies regarding student names and pronouns, which has triggered state litigation and policy revisions. This is an issue with real legal and cultural stakes that families will weigh differently depending on their values and concerns.
For a family considering this school, the key question is not whether it is excellent, but whether the academic profile and support environment fit the child's needs. The low proficiency rates, especially in math, suggest a school where academic acceleration or enrichment beyond the core curriculum may be limited. The economically disadvantaged student population and likely high concentrations of English learners point to a school organized around foundational skill-building. If a child thrives in a high-poverty school with intensive, small-scale instruction and a tight community, this may work. If a child needs advanced academics or a wider range of peer backgrounds, a parent should look elsewhere or plan for supplemental support.
See more original research from School Decision →