Very Good
#2559 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 27% in state
Branch Elementary
Elementary School · Lucia Mar Unified
970 School Rd., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,559 of 9,539
In Arroyo Grande
#2 of 8
public schools
In district
#4 of 19
Lucia Mar Unified
Equity
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Branch Elementary
Elementary School in Arroyo Grande · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Paulding Middle
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Arroyo Grande High
3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Branch Elementary
Branch Elementary is a public elementary school in Arroyo Grande, CA, part of Lucia Mar Unified. Branch Elementary serves approximately 254 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,559 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Branch Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 6.3
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Branch Elementary runs 21.2:1 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.
Branch 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Branch Elementary — Students at Branch Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.
How Branch Elementary Compares
See how Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
970 School Rd., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Branch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ocean View Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fairgrove Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Grover Beach), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oceano Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Oceano), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Arroyo Grande, see our Arroyo Grande schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Paulding Middle Arroyo Grande | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Arroyo Grande High Arroyo Grande | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| VALLEY VIEW ADVENTIST JUNIOR ACADEMY Arroyo Grande | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Valley View Adventist School Arroyo Grande | 3.4 mi | — |
| ARROYO GRANDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Arroyo Grande | 3.6 mi | — |
| ST PATRICKS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arroyo Grande | 3.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Harloe Elementary Arroyo Grande | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Ocean View Elementary Arroyo Grande | 4.2 mi | 8.6 |
| COASTAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pismo Beach | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Mesa Middle Arroyo Grande | 5.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Fairgrove Elementary Grover Beach | 5.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Oceano Elementary Oceano | 5.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Grover Heights Elementary Grover Beach | 5.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Grover Beach Elementary Grover Beach | 5.3 mi | 4.5 |
| DANDY LION MONTESSORI SCHOOL Grover Beach | 5.5 mi | — |
| Central Coast New Tech High Nipomo | 6.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Nipomo High Nipomo | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Lopez Continuation High Arroyo Grande | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Pacific View Academy Arroyo Grande | 6.4 mi | 2.5 |
| Judkins Middle Pismo Beach | 6.3 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,718
Median Home Value
$872,200
Median Rent
$2,025/mo
Population
32,016
College Educated
43.7%
Homeownership
66.2%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
45.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Costa Mesa, CA | 7.5 |
| Alcott Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.5 |
| Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 7.5 |
| Aspen Elementary Thousand Oaks, CA | 7.5 |
| BEECHWOOD SCHOOL Menlo Park, CA | 7.5 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Bella Vista, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Branch Elementary
What grades does Branch Elementary serve?
Branch Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Branch Elementary?
Branch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 254 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Branch Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Branch Elementary is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Branch Elementary rank in CA?
Branch Elementary ranks #2,559 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Branch Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Branch Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Branch Elementary a charter school?
No, Branch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Branch Elementary a Title I school?
No, Branch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Branch Elementary?
33.1% of students at Branch 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 254
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Luis Obispo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.3%
- Phone
- (805) 474-3720
Resources & Links
District
Lucia Mar Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,621
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,858
- District Rank
- #4 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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