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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.3Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.7%
Math vs. State Avg-33.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,410

Bruce (robert) Elementary — Students at Bruce (robert) Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.1%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 16.6%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
14%
ELA
21%
2024
Math
12.9%
ELA
15.7%

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.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in CA
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 0.2 mi 4.9
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 0.4 mi
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 0.5 mi 5.3
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 0.6 mi 4.0
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 0.6 mi
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 0.7 mi 6.5
Rice (William) Elementary Santa Maria 0.9 mi 3.4
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 1.1 mi 5.8
Santa Maria High Santa Maria 1.3 mi 5.5
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 1.5 mi 5.6
Miller (Isaac) Elementary Santa Maria 1.5 mi 5.7
Fesler (Isaac) Junior High Santa Maria 1.3 mi 4.4
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary Santa Maria 1.4 mi 4.0
Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria 1.7 mi 4.5
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria 1.7 mi 5.5
Tunnell (Martin Luther) Elementary Santa Maria 1.6 mi 4.1
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 2.1 mi 4.5
Trivium Charter Lompoc 2.2 mi 4.9
Liberty Elementary Santa Maria 2.4 mi 5.0
Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria 2.5 mi 5.6

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 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
71 Very Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,611/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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