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Excellent

#1364 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 14% in state

Ballard Elementary

Elementary School · Ballard Elementary

2425 School St., Solvang, CA 93463

Enrollment

107

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,364 of 9,539

In Solvang

#1 of 3

public schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Ballard Elementary

8.1/10

Elementary School in Solvang · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dunn School

7.8/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Los Olivos Elementary

7.4/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ballard Elementary

Ballard Elementary is a public elementary school in Solvang, CA, part of Ballard Elementary. Ballard Elementary serves approximately 107 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,364 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Ballard Elementary show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts above CA schools
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 107 students, Ballard Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Ballard Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+26.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.2 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,390

Ballard Elementary — Students at Ballard Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

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 82.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 84.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
70.7%
ELA
71.4%
2024
Math
73.7%
ELA
78.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.

How Ballard Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

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. Solvang Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Santa Ynez Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Santa Ynez), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Los Olivos Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Los Olivos), with a comparable 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 7.4
Santa Ynez Valley Union High Solvang 2.3 mi 5.8
Refugio High Solvang 2.3 mi
Santa Ynez Elementary Santa Ynez 2.2 mi 7.6
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 8.1
Olive Grove Charter - Buellton Santa Maria 4.6 mi
Jonata Middle Buellton 5.0 mi 8.7
Hundred Hills Buellton 5.4 mi
Oak Valley Elementary Buellton 5.4 mi 5.0
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 5.2
Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos 11.6 mi 4.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dr. James Edward Jones Primary Center Los Angeles, CA 8.1
River Montessori Elementary Charter Petaluma, CA 8.1
THE ACADEMY OF 21ST CENTURY LEARNING Vacaville, CA 8.1
ADDA CLEVENGER SCHOOL San Francisco, CA 8.2
BELL TOWER TRILINGUAL SCHOOL Alhambra, CA 8.2
Barona Indian Charter Lakeside, CA 8.2

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 ranks #1,364 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Ballard Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ballard Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard Elementary has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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

District

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

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