Simpson Elementary ranks in top 17% of California schools

Samuel W. Simpson Elementary scored 83.49 out of 100 in the 2027 U.S. News Best Elementary Schools rankings, placing No. 978 out of 5,920 ranked California elementary schools.

That puts the South Lilac Avenue school in the top 17% statewide. The rankings, released Oct. 20, evaluated about 46,000 public elementary schools nationwide at the state and district levels, according to a U.S. News press release.

Simpson's students outperformed both Rialto Unified and statewide averages. Sixty percent scored at or above the proficient level in reading, compared with 34% across the district and 44% statewide. In math, 48% reached proficiency, versus 26% districtwide and 38% across California. U.S. News rated the school "Well Above Expectations" in both subjects.

The school serves 638 students in grades K-5, with a 25-to-1 student-teacher ratio and 26 full-time certified teachers. Eighty-two percent of students are classified as economically disadvantaged.

That economic profile makes the test scores stand out. Half the U.S. News formula measures raw math and reading proficiency. The other half evaluates how students performed relative to expectations based on socioeconomic factors, according to the ranking methodology. Schools that serve large populations of economically disadvantaged students and still post strong scores earn higher marks in that second category.

Simpson is one of 10 Rialto Unified elementary schools offering a Dual Language Immersion program, where students learn core subjects in both English and Spanish using a 90/10 instructional model in grades K-5.

Eric Brooks, U.S. News director of education data analysis, said in the press release that the updated methodology "gives families, educators and community leaders an even clearer view of academic achievement."

No public statement from Rialto Unified Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Alvarez or Simpson Elementary's principal regarding the ranking was available as of publication.