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-
A-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
|
Reading Proficiency
47%
|
Math Proficiency
32%
|
Teachers
|
Student Teacher Ratio
26:1
Teachers
28
|
Full Time Teachers
28
|
|
Teachers in First or Second Year
9.6%
|
|
GreatSchools Rating
6
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
|
Math
15.2%
State Average
19.4%
|
Science
6.5%
State Average
11.2%
|
Student Diversity
|
Male
50.5%
|
Female
49.5%
|
|
Hispanic
53.8%
|
Asian
28.2%
|
|
White
8.8%
|
Black
5.6%
|
|
Two or more races
2.6%
|
Pacific Islander
<1%
|
|
Native American
<1%
|
Filipino
<1%
|
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
Explore this Neighborhood
List Price Range
$260K - $964K
Homes For Sale
55
Average Home Value
$381,736
Median Lot Size
6,098 Sq Ft
% Renters
42%
Average Household Income
$78,838
% of College Grads
15.6%
Median Age
33
Average House Size
1,595 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
20.5%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
$2,750 per month
- Newly Built Lennar Home in Northwest Fresno
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,898 Sq Ft
- 5432 W Lamona Ave
- Fresno, CA
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
James K. Polk Elementary is a public school for students in grades K-6 in Fresno, CA and is served by the Central Unified School District in California. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 775 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26:1. Academic records show that 32% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 47% are proficient in reading. James K. Polk Elementary has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of B and a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10. The average home value in this area is $381,736. Discover additional schools in the area, like Central East High School, Justin Garza High School, Central High, and more. Learn more about what Fresno has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near James K. Polk Elementary.