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Below Average

#8169 of 9,533 schools in CA

Bonita Elementary

Elementary School · Santa Maria-Bonita

2715 West Main St., Santa Maria, CA 93458

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Maria

#21 of 30

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,840 of 5,817

In district

#13 of 21

Santa Maria-Bonita

School environment

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Bonita Elementary

Bonita Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Santa Maria, California, nestled in a rural area near the town. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and currently has an enrollment of 545 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1. Bonita Elementary houses 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment.

According to MySchoolScout’s data, the academic performance of Bonita Elementary places it in the 4th percentile among California schools, with an overall rating of 2.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.9 out of 10. The school reports that only 16% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 15% are proficient or above in Math. While the school’s current test scores indicate room for improvement, Bonita Elementary is committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive educational environment focused on student development and support.

The school's setting offers a rural charm that contributes to its unique character within the community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Bonita Elementary is 20.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Bonita 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 Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.1%
Math vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.7 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,410

Bonita Elementary — Students at Bonita Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.9%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 16.1%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
23%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
13.2%
ELA
14.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Bonita Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

2715 West Main St., Santa Maria, CA 93458

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bonita Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lange (Dorothea) Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Nipomo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 3.3 mi
Lange (Dorothea) Elementary Nipomo 4.0 mi 6.0
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 3.3 mi 6.5
Mary Buren Elementary Guadalupe 3.4 mi 5.6
Liberty Elementary Santa Maria 3.7 mi 5.0
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 3.5 mi 5.3
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 3.8 mi 5.6
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 3.8 mi 5.8
Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria 3.8 mi 5.8
Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria 4.0 mi 5.6
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria 4.6 mi 7.7
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria 4.0 mi 5.5
Arellanes Junior High Santa Maria 4.6 mi 4.5
Kermit McKenzie Intermediate Guadalupe 3.9 mi 6.9
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 4.0 mi 4.9
Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria 4.1 mi 4.5
Dana Elementary Nipomo 4.9 mi 5.8
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 4.1 mi
Santa Maria High Santa Maria 4.2 mi 5.5
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 4.4 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93458 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,518

Median Home Value

$460,300

Median Rent

$1,825/mo

Population

59,126

College Educated

9.2%

Homeownership

43.5%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

27.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bonita Elementary has a median household income of $73,518. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $460,300, with a median rent of $1,825/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Barry Elementary Yuba City, CA 4.6
Beaumont Elementary Vista, CA 4.6
Blossom Valley Elementary El Cajon, CA 4.6
Boone Elementary San Diego, CA 4.6
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-EAST CAMPUS El Cajon, CA 4.6
Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio, CA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bonita Elementary

What grades does Bonita Elementary serve?

Bonita Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Bonita Elementary?

Bonita Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bonita Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bonita Elementary is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bonita Elementary rank in CA?

Bonita Elementary is ranked #8169 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Bonita Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bonita Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Bonita Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bonita Elementary has 14.9% math proficiency and 16.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bonita Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Bonita Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

96.3% of students at Bonita 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
High (2,611/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Maria-Bonita
District Enrollment
17,165
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,207
District Rank
#13 of 21

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

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