Lafayette Elementary vs Cobb (William L.) Elementary
Lafayette Elementary has a higher overall rating of 9.3/10 compared to 6.8/10. Lafayette Elementary is significantly larger with 474 students, about 3.5× the size of Cobb (William L.) Elementary (137). In math proficiency, Lafayette Elementary leads at 78.0%.
Lafayette Elementary
San Francisco, CA
474 students
Cobb (William L.) Elementary
San Francisco, CA
137 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Lafayette Elementary | Cobb (William L.) Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.3 / 10 | 6.8 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.7 | 7.2 |
| Growth Score | 9.1 | 7.2 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 27.6% | 66.4% |
| Environment Score | 9.2 | 5.1 |
| State Rank | #108 of 9,539 | #3,999 of 9,539 |
| State Percentile | 99th | 58th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Lafayette Elementary | Cobb (William L.) Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 78.0% | 57.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 72.0% | 47.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Lafayette Elementary | Cobb (William L.) Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 5th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 474 | 137 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 20.6:1 | 19.6:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 27.6% | 66.4% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 16.2% | 68.6% |
| District | San Francisco Unified | San Francisco Unified |
| City | San Francisco | San Francisco |
Neighborhood
| Metric | San Francisco (94121) | San Francisco (94115) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $138,353 | $154,264 |
| Median Home Value | $1,634,600 | $1,684,100 |
| Median Rent | $2,327 | $2,380 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 63.9% | 73.6% |
| Poverty Rate | 8.3% | 13.4% |
| Avg Commute | 33 min | 29 min |
The data story: Lafayette Elementary vs Cobb (William L.) Elementary
Lafayette Elementary and Cobb (William L.) Elementary are both K–5 San Francisco public schools sitting 3.2 miles apart, but their overall ratings diverge meaningfully: Lafayette Elementary scores 9.3/10 versus Cobb (William L.) Elementary's 8.5/10 — a 0.8-point gap that widens considerably when viewed through state rank. Lafayette Elementary ranks #122 of 9,533 California elementary schools, placing it in the top 1.3% statewide, while Cobb (William L.) Elementary ranks #864 of 9,533, still a strong top-10% showing but a significant distance behind.
The academic scores tell the sharpest story. Lafayette Elementary posts a 9.7/10 academic score — 2.5 points above Cobb (William L.) Elementary's 7.2/10 — indicating a substantial gap in measured proficiency outcomes. The growth picture flips entirely: Cobb (William L.) Elementary earns a perfect 10.0/10 growth score compared to Lafayette Elementary's already-strong 9.1/10, meaning students at Cobb are outpacing their academic-trajectory expectations at an exceptional rate, regardless of where they start. Families weighing current achievement levels against upward momentum will find genuinely different answers at each school.
The two schools serve demographically distinct populations. Lafayette Elementary enrolls 474 students with 28% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch; Cobb (William L.) Elementary enrolls just 137 students, with 66% on free or reduced-price lunch. That 38-point FRL gap signals a real socioeconomic difference in the communities each school serves. Student-teacher ratios are close — Lafayette Elementary at 20.6:1 versus Cobb (William L.) Elementary at 19.6:1 — so neither school holds a meaningful class-size edge.
Both schools serve grades KG–05 and operate within the San Francisco Unified School District, so grade access and district oversight are equivalent. The distinction lies in school culture and fit: Lafayette Elementary's higher proficiency base suggests an environment where tested achievement is already strong, while Cobb (William L.) Elementary's perfect growth score points to a staff that excels at accelerating students from wherever they begin.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Lafayette Elementary
Lafayette Elementary fits families who prioritize demonstrated academic proficiency — its 9.7/10 academic score and top-1.3% California ranking signal a high-achievement baseline. Parents seeking a larger school community with strong tested outcomes, and whose children are already performing at or above grade level, will find Lafayette Elementary's profile well-matched to those expectations.
Cobb (William L.) Elementary
Cobb (William L.) Elementary fits families who value student growth over baseline scores — its perfect 10.0/10 growth rating means students consistently outpace predictions, a strong signal of effective teaching. Its smaller 137-student enrollment offers a tighter-knit environment, and its higher free/reduced lunch population reflects a more economically diverse community where that growth track record carries real weight.