Central Elementary (formerly James F. Polk Elementary), a TK-6 school, is one of 14 elementary schools in Fresno’s Central Unified School District. The school was renamed after following a school board vote in 2022. A year earlier, 11-year old Malachi Suarez led a petition drive to rename the school as a Gifted and Talented Education project. The sixth grader gathered 1,500 signatures.
Built in 2004, the school is located on Polk Avenue near Earl Ruth Park in West Fresno. Central Elementary is ranked #2 in the district, according to the U.S. News ranking. Half of the school’s students have tested proficient or above in math and reading.
Central Elementary has approximately 798 students and a student/teacher ratio of 28 to 1. The school offers a transitional kindergarten program for students who will turn five years old between September 2 and December 2 of the calendar year.
Central Elementary students don’t stick to the sidelines–unless they’re part of the CEAL cheer squad! The school participates in the Central Elementary Athletic League, which offers team sports to elementary students in the district. Seasonal sports include cross country, football, girls volleyball, wrestling, boys and girls basketball, baseball, and softball.
James K. Polk Elementary
Public Elementary School
|
Grade K-6
2195 N Polk Ave,
Fresno, CA
Central Unified School District
School Details
Head of School
Geoff Garratt
Student Teacher Ratio
26:1
Math Proficiency
32%
Reading Proficiency
47%
Niche Grade
B-
B+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Reading Proficiency
47%
Math Proficiency
32%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
26:1
Teachers
29
Full Time Teachers
29
Teachers in First or Second Year
9.6%
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
13.8%
State Average
17.9%
Science
11.3%
State Average
9.9%
Student Diversity
Male
51.6%
Female
48.4%
Hispanic
52.9%
Asian or Pacific Islander
31%
White
6.6%
Black
5.6%
Two or more races
3.3%
Native American
<1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
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Specialty School Programs
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
This School’s Reviews
GreatSchools Reviews
6/4/2013
I would not send my grandchildren to any other school. The staff at Polk is kind, helpful and always there for you as a parent, grandparent or child. FIVE STARS FOR YOU POLK!!!
2/27/2012
:DI Love This School.And Miss It Now That I'm In Middle School.Love The Teachers ,There Really Nice But I Dont Know Why Other 6Th Grade Kids Dislike It?:/
2/15/2010
My family and I love Polk. The staff is great and welcoming, always smile esp. Miss Bea, Miss Amanda, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Shergill and everyone else. My children are really happy there and they're learning alot. Thank you.
3/31/2009
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Map
Attendance Zone
About West Fresno
List Price Range
$275K - $695K
Homes For Sale
35
Average Home Value
$375,838
Median Lot Size
6,098 Sq Ft
% Renters
42%
Household Income
$78,838
% of College Grads
15.6%
Median Age
33
Average House Size
1,595 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
19.8%
Homes for Sale
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
Parks in this Area
Roeding Park Playground
- Playground
Jaswant Singh Khalra Neighborhood Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Roeding Park
- Lake
- Picnic Area
- Amusement Rides
Inspiration Park
- Dog Park
- Playground
- Community Center
Basin AH1 Dog Park
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
Z.S. Leymel Park
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Roeding Park
Heavily residential neighborhood next to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Highway City
Small slice of suburbia along Route 99 in Fresno County
Fig Garden
Historic homes on estate-sized lots in neighborhood that values tradition
Fig Garden Loop
A growing northwest Fresno suburb with lots of shopping on Shaw Avenue
Lowell
In one of Fesno's oldest neighborhoods, where every street has its own feel
Maroa
Central Fresno residential living just north of the Tower District