Located in El Centro, CA. Serving grades KG through 06.
Margaret Hedrick Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade in El Centro, a regional hub in California's Imperial Valley about a dozen miles north of the Mexican border. The school sits in a community where agriculture has long anchored the economy, alongside government, healthcare, education, and retail employment. Housing in El Centro is predominantly modest ranch-style homes and bungalows; the area has seen steady housing growth with new developments planned south of the city and apartment complexes expanding north and west.
The student body at Margaret Hedrick is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic composition of El Centro. The school enrolls students across seven grade bands, with roughly consistent numbers in each grade from kindergarten through sixth.
On California's state assessments, Margaret Hedrick shows uneven academic performance. In English language arts across grades three through six, proficiency ranges from low in the younger grades to roughly mid-range in fifth and sixth grade. In mathematics, proficiency is notably lower, remaining in the low range across all tested grades. Science proficiency, measured in fifth grade, is very low. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency sits below the midpoint among districts in Imperial County.
The pattern suggests that younger and middle elementary students are struggling more acutely with foundational math skills, while upper elementary students show more strength in reading and language arts. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about the specific supports in place for math instruction across all grade levels, and how the school is addressing the pronounced gap between language arts and mathematics performance. The school's science results, while based on a single grade level, also warrant conversation about curriculum and resources in that subject.
El Centro itself is a moderately walkable community where most trips still require a car. The city has pursued downtown revitalization through a facade improvement program and is pursuing pedestrian infrastructure projects. Parks like Bucklin Park offer recreation, and the city has a public library with programming. Major local employers include government agencies, the county, Imperial Valley College, and El Centro Regional Medical Center, providing diverse work in the region.
Housing values in the El Centro zip code have appreciated modestly. The cost of homeownership and rental remain relatively accessible compared to state and national benchmarks, though monthly housing costs represent a meaningful share of local household budgets. The community is described as slowly but steadily growing, with new residential and commercial development underway.
Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.
Officially reported figures, 2024-25.
All reported measures, by topic.