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
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Ballard Elementary — Students at Ballard Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 72.13% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 77.05% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (805) 688-4812
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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