Very Good
#2973 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 31% in state
Buena Vista Elementary
Elementary School · Walnut Creek Elementary
2355 San Juan Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Walnut Creek
#7 of 16
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,991 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 7
Walnut Creek Elementary
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Buena Vista Elementary
Buena Vista Elementary serves 494 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Walnut Creek, California. This regular public school consistently delivers strong academic performance, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #981 out of 9,566 California elementary schools with an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school's academic excellence shines through in student achievement, with 72% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 69% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, Buena Vista maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1, allowing educators to provide focused attention to student learning. The school draws families from an affluent and highly educated community where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects strong family investment in education, with a median household income of $135,960 and median home values of $917,500.
The low poverty rate of 7.1% indicates a stable economic environment that supports student success. Located on San Juan Avenue in this small city setting, Buena Vista Elementary benefits from being part of a community that values education and provides the resources necessary for academic achievement. The combination of strong test scores, dedicated teaching staff, and supportive community makes this school an attractive option for families seeking quality elementary education in Contra Costa County.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary is 23.5:1, 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
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Buena Vista Elementary — Students at Buena Vista Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 7.6/10.
How Buena Vista Elementary Compares
See how Buena Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 68.94% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 71.74% (2024).
Location
2355 San Juan Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buena Vista Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pleasant Hill Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Hill), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WALNUT CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.2/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Walnut Creek, see our Walnut Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94597 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,685
Median Home Value
$986,700
Median Rent
$2,557/mo
Population
24,235
College Educated
65.6%
Homeownership
46.4%
Avg Commute
33.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buena Vista Elementary has a median household income of $142,685. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $986,700, with a median rent of $2,557/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 7.2 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos, CA | 7.2 |
| Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA | 7.2 |
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA | 7.2 |
| Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buena Vista Elementary
What grades does Buena Vista Elementary serve?
Buena Vista Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Buena Vista Elementary?
Buena Vista Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buena Vista Elementary rank in CA?
Buena Vista Elementary is ranked #2973 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Buena Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buena Vista Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Buena Vista Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista Elementary has 69.8% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buena Vista Elementary a charter school?
No, Buena Vista Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buena Vista Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buena Vista Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buena Vista Elementary?
18.8% of students at Buena Vista 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 494
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (925) 944-6822
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Walnut Creek Elementary- District Enrollment
- 3,547
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,571
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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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