Skip to main content

Average

#4810 of 9,533 schools in CA

Ballard Elementary

Elementary School · Ballard Elementary

2425 School St., Solvang, CA 93463

Enrollment

107

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Solvang

#1 of 3

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,946 of 5,817

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Ballard Elementary

Ballard Elementary serves 107 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in the charming community of Solvang, California. This exceptional public school has earned a remarkable 9.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 78th out of 9,566 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile of California schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.3 to 1 and seven full-time equivalent teachers, Ballard Elementary provides personalized attention that clearly translates into outstanding academic results.

The school's academic performance is impressive, with 78% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 74% achieving proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Located at 2425 School Street, Ballard Elementary serves a well-educated community where 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects strong economic stability with a median household income of $122,321 and a low poverty rate of 6.7%.

Families in this area demonstrate significant investment in education, as evidenced by the median home value of $979,100. Ballard Elementary sits in a rural setting near the picturesque town of Solvang, offering students the benefits of small-town community life while maintaining access to high-quality educational opportunities in scenic Santa Barbara County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 107 students, Ballard Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Ballard Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+26.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.2 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,318

Ballard Elementary — Students at Ballard Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 76.4%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.9%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2024
Math
73.7%
ELA
78.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.

How Ballard Elementary Compares

See how Ballard Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

2425 School St., Solvang, CA 93463

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballard Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vista de Las Cruces (rated 8.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Gaviota), which scores notably higher. Another option is Santa Ynez Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Santa Ynez), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Olga L. Reed Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Los Alamos), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Solvang, see our Solvang schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
DUNN SCHOOL Los Olivos 1.4 mi 7.8
Dunn School Los Olivos 1.4 mi
Los Olivos Elementary Los Olivos 1.8 mi 5.0
Santa Ynez Valley Union High Solvang 2.3 mi 6.1
Refugio High Solvang 2.3 mi
Santa Ynez Elementary Santa Ynez 2.2 mi 6.3
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Ynez 2.5 mi 4.7
College Elementary Santa Ynez 2.4 mi
Santa Ynez Valley Charter Santa Ynez 2.4 mi 4.1
Acorn Village Forest School Solvang 2.9 mi
Solvang Elementary Solvang 3.3 mi 5.1
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton Santa Maria 4.6 mi
Jonata Middle Buellton 5.0 mi 5.8
Hundred Hills Buellton 5.4 mi
Oak Valley Elementary Buellton 5.4 mi 4.8
MIDLAND SCHOOL CORPORATION Los Olivos 6.6 mi 7.1
Santa Ynez Valley Family School Los Olivos 6.7 mi
THE FAMILY SCHOOL Los Olivos 6.8 mi 5.7
Vista de Las Cruces Gaviota 11.2 mi 8.8
Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos 11.6 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93463 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$130,123

Median Home Value

$1,044,100

Median Rent

$1,895/mo

Population

8,099

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

62.6%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

53.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ballard Elementary has a median household income of $130,123. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,044,100, with a median rent of $1,895/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY OF STOCKTON Stockton, CA 6.3
BRAWERMAN ELEMENTARY EAST OF WILSHIRE BLVD TEMPLE Los Angeles, CA 6.3
CHICO OAKS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Chico, CA 6.3
COASTLINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goleta, CA 6.3
DOWNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Downey, CA 6.3
EGREMONT SCHOOLS Chatsworth, CA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballard Elementary

What grades does Ballard Elementary serve?

Ballard Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Ballard Elementary?

Ballard Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 107 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballard Elementary rank in CA?

Ballard Elementary is ranked #4810 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Ballard Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ballard Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballard Elementary has 76.4% math proficiency and 79.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ballard Elementary a charter school?

No, Ballard Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballard Elementary a Title I school?

No, Ballard Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard Elementary?

9.3% of students at Ballard Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,030/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Solvang). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
9.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ballard Elementary
District Enrollment
107
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,390
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.