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Very Good

#2065 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

Benjamin Foxen Elementary

Elementary School · Blochman Union Elementary

4949 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93454

Enrollment

192

Student-Teacher

21.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,065 of 9,539

In Santa Maria

#3 of 30

public schools

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Benjamin Foxen Elementary

7.7/10

Elementary School in Santa Maria · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ralph Dunlap Elementary

3.2/10

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

Orcutt School for Independent Study

7.3/10

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

About Benjamin Foxen Elementary

Benjamin Foxen Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Maria, CA, part of Blochman Union Elementary. Benjamin Foxen Elementary serves approximately 192 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Benjamin Foxen Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,065 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Benjamin Foxen Elementary show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts above CA schools
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 192 students, Benjamin Foxen 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.

Benjamin Foxen Elementary runs 21.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Benjamin Foxen 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 Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,037
Chronic Absenteeism7.3%

Benjamin Foxen Elementary — Students at Benjamin Foxen Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
62.4%
2024
Math
33.2%
ELA
49.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How Benjamin Foxen Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.3%

Location

4949 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93454

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benjamin Foxen Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bill Libbon Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 8.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pine Grove Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Orcutt), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Orcutt School for Independent Study (rated 7.3/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Orcutt), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Ralph Dunlap Elementary Orcutt 6.6 mi 3.2
Orcutt School for Independent Study Orcutt 6.6 mi 7.3
St. Louis de Montfort Elementary Santa Maria 6.7 mi
ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT Santa Maria 6.7 mi 5.6
Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria 6.8 mi 8.8
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria 6.9 mi 5.8
Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria Santa Maria 7.0 mi 6.9
Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt 7.0 mi 7.5
Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria 7.2 mi 6.3
Olga L. Reed Elementary Los Alamos 8.8 mi 4.9
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria 7.5 mi 5.0
Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt 7.5 mi 4.9
Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt 7.7 mi 6.5
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria 7.9 mi 5.3
Delta High Santa Maria 7.8 mi 5.9
Pioneer Valley High Santa Maria 8.7 mi 7.0
Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt 8.1 mi 6.8
Lakeview Junior High Orcutt 8.1 mi 5.9
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 8.4 mi 7.7
Trivium Charter Lompoc 8.5 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93454 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,178

Median Home Value

$477,600

Median Rent

$1,750/mo

Population

41,710

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

53.1%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

31.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arete Charter Academy Grass Valley, CA 7.7
BARNHART SCHOOL Arcadia, CA 7.7
Cabrillo Elementary San Diego, CA 7.7
Charter Alternative Program (CAP) Placerville, CA 7.7
Creekside Charter Olympic Valley, CA 7.7
El Sereno Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benjamin Foxen Elementary

What grades does Benjamin Foxen Elementary serve?

Benjamin Foxen Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Benjamin Foxen Elementary?

Benjamin Foxen Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 192 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Foxen Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Foxen Elementary is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benjamin Foxen Elementary rank in CA?

Benjamin Foxen Elementary ranks #2,065 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Benjamin Foxen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Foxen Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Benjamin Foxen Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benjamin Foxen Elementary has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Benjamin Foxen Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Benjamin Foxen Elementary a Title I school?

No, Benjamin Foxen Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

52.1% of students at Benjamin Foxen 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Santa Barbara County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.3%

District

Blochman Union Elementary
District Enrollment
192
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,037
District Rank
#1 of 1

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