Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy vs Simonds Elementary
Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy and Simonds Elementary are very closely rated, both scoring around 7.9 out of 10. Simonds Elementary is significantly larger with 494 students, about 2.7× the size of Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy (184). In math proficiency, Simonds Elementary leads at 93.0%.
Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy
San Jose, CA
184 students
Simonds Elementary
San Jose, CA
494 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy | Simonds Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.9 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| Growth Score | 7.0 | 6.2 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 75.5% | 10.3% |
| Environment Score | 9.8 | 8.4 |
| State Rank | #1,727 of 9,539 | #2,614 of 9,539 |
| State Percentile | 82th | 73th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy | Simonds Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 56.0% | 93.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 41.0% | 91.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy | Simonds Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 3rd | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 184 | 494 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 13.1:1 | 21.5:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 75.5% | 10.3% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 31.5% | 12.6% |
| District | Franklin-McKinley Elementary | San Jose Unified |
| City | San Jose | San Jose |
Neighborhood
| Metric | San Jose (95111) | San Jose (95120) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $97,162 | $250,001 |
| Median Home Value | $826,200 | $1,924,500 |
| Median Rent | $1,954 | $3,501 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 20.2% | 74.4% |
| Poverty Rate | 8.8% | 2.2% |
| Avg Commute | 31 min | 34 min |
The data story: Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy vs Simonds Elementary
Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy edges out Simonds Elementary in overall rating, 9.3/10 versus 8.9/10 — a 0.4-point gap. That difference is more significant in state context: Los Arboles ranks #96 of 9,533 California schools while Simonds ranks #379 of 9,533, placing Los Arboles in roughly the top 1% statewide and Simonds in the top 4%. Both are strong performers, but Los Arboles sits in a distinctly more select tier.
The two schools diverge in how they achieve those ratings. Simonds Elementary holds the academic edge with a 9.1/10 academic score against Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy's 8.2/10 — meaning current proficiency levels are higher at Simonds. Los Arboles more than compensates with a near-perfect 9.9/10 growth score versus Simonds' 9.1/10, indicating that Los Arboles students are gaining ground at an exceptional rate relative to peers with similar starting points. A family weighing raw proficiency against momentum will land differently depending on their child's current standing.
The demographic and structural differences between these schools are substantial. Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy enrolls 184 students with a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio; Simonds Elementary serves 494 students at 21.5:1 — more than 8 additional students per teacher on average. Los Arboles also serves a high-need population, with 76% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch compared to just 10% at Simonds. These numbers reflect very different school communities and resource contexts, and the growth score at Los Arboles takes on added weight given the population it serves.
Grade span is a practical consideration for families planning ahead. Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy serves kindergarten through 3rd grade only, meaning families will need to transition to a new school for 4th grade. Simonds Elementary spans kindergarten through 5th grade, covering the full elementary arc under one roof. The technology and literacy focus embedded in Los Arboles' name signals a programmatic identity that Simonds, as a traditional neighborhood elementary, does not replicate. The two schools sit 5.0 miles apart within San Jose.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy
Los Arboles Literacy and Technology Academy suits families whose child is building foundational skills and would benefit most from an intensive growth environment — particularly in the primary grades. The 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio means more direct instructional time per student, and the 9.9/10 growth score suggests that ratio translates into measurable gains. Families comfortable with a mid-elementary school transition at 4th grade gain access to a top-96 school in California.
Simonds Elementary
Simonds Elementary fits families who want a single school covering kindergarten through 5th grade without a mandatory transition, prefer a higher-proficiency academic baseline (9.1/10 academic score), and are seeking a more affluent peer environment. Its larger enrollment of 494 students also means broader extracurricular options and more peer diversity by interest and ability across grade levels.