Average
#5953 of 9,533 schools in CA
Bruce (robert) Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Maria-Bonita
601 West Alvin Ave., Santa Maria, CA 93458
Enrollment
998
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
998
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Maria
#8 of 30
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,564 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 21
Santa Maria-Bonita
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Bruce (robert) Elementary
Bruce (Robert) Elementary serves 998 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Santa Maria, California. This large elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1 with 49 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth in core subjects.
In English Language Arts, 16% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, while 13% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results place Bruce Elementary in the 11th percentile among California's elementary schools, indicating significant opportunities for academic improvement and student support. Located in the 93458 ZIP code area, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $75,519 and median home values reach $421,800.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class character, with 9% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 16.1%. This demographic context suggests many families may benefit from additional educational resources and community support programs. Bruce Elementary operates as a regular public school in Santa Maria, a mid-size city in Santa Barbara County.
The school's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger elementary institutions in the area, serving families throughout this central California coastal community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Bruce (robert) Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Bruce (robert) Elementary is 20.4:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Bruce (robert) Elementary — Students at Bruce (robert) Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.
How Bruce (robert) Elementary Compares
See how Bruce (robert) Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 12.57% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 15.68% (2024).
Location
601 West Alvin Ave., Santa Maria, CA 93458
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bruce (robert) Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Miller (Isaac) Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 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 Bruce (robert) 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Colton, CA | 5.8 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Bell Gardens, CA | 5.8 |
| Clara Barton Elementary Eastvale, CA | 5.8 |
| Columbia Elementary Lancaster, CA | 5.8 |
| Dana Elementary Nipomo, CA | 5.8 |
| Dooley Elementary Long Beach, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bruce (robert) Elementary
What grades does Bruce (robert) Elementary serve?
Bruce (robert) Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Bruce (robert) Elementary?
Bruce (robert) Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 998 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bruce (robert) Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bruce (robert) Elementary is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bruce (robert) Elementary rank in CA?
Bruce (robert) Elementary is ranked #5953 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bruce (robert) Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bruce (robert) Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Bruce (robert) Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bruce (robert) Elementary has 13.1% math proficiency and 16.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bruce (robert) Elementary a charter school?
No, Bruce (robert) Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bruce (robert) Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bruce (robert) Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bruce (robert) Elementary?
89.0% of students at Bruce (robert) 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 998
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 361-6940
- 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
- #3 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
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