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
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bonita Elementary — Students at Bonita Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 4.0/10.
How Bonita Elementary Compares
See how Bonita Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 13.55% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 15.08% (2024).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (805) 361-8290
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.