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Excellent

#1474 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 15% 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

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,474 of 9,539

In Walnut Creek

#3 of 16

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Walnut Creek Elementary

Equity

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Buena Vista Elementary

8.1/10

Elementary School in Walnut Creek · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Walnut Creek Christian Academy

6.2/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Al Judiy Academy

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buena Vista Elementary

Buena Vista Elementary is a public elementary school in Walnut Creek, CA, part of Walnut Creek Elementary. Buena Vista Elementary serves approximately 494 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Buena Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,474 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Buena Vista Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.7
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Buena Vista Elementary runs 23.5:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,571
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

Buena Vista Elementary — Students at Buena Vista Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 71.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
58%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
75.4%
2024
Math
69.2%
ELA
71.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Buena Vista Elementary Compares

See how Buena Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
5.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

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 comparable rating. Another option is WALNUT CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.2/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Walnut Creek, see our Walnut Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
WALNUT CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Walnut Creek 0.1 mi 6.2
Walnut Creek Christian Academy Walnut Creek 0.2 mi
Al Judiy Academy Walnut Creek 0.2 mi
Fusion Academy Walnut Creek Downtown Walnut Creek 0.6 mi
FUSION ACADEMY WALNUT CREEK DOWNTOWN Walnut Creek 0.6 mi 7.9
Cedar Life Academy Walnut Creek 0.6 mi
Contra Costa Christian Schools Walnut Creek 0.8 mi
CONTRA COSTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Walnut Creek 0.8 mi 7.3
Walnut Creek Intermediate Walnut Creek 0.8 mi 7.0
Wellspring Educational Services Inc Walnut Creek 1.1 mi
WELLSPRING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC Walnut Creek 1.1 mi 6.7
ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Walnut Creek 1.2 mi 5.7
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Walnut Creek 1.2 mi
Grayson Creek Academy Pleasant Hill 1.2 mi
LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING PROCESSES WALNUT CREEK Walnut Creek 1.2 mi
Fusion Academy Walnut Creek Walnut Creek 1.3 mi
Building Connections Behavioral Health Walnut Creek 1.3 mi
SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL Walnut Creek 1.3 mi 7.4
The Seven Hills School Walnut Creek 1.3 mi
Pleasant Hill Elementary Pleasant Hill 1.5 mi 5.0

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Amelia Earhart Elementary Alameda, CA 8.1
Armona Elementary Armona, CA 8.1
Bathgate Elementary Mission Viejo, CA 8.1
Baywood Elementary Los Osos, CA 8.1
Blossom Hill Elementary Los Gatos, CA 8.1
Bryant Ranch Elementary Yorba Linda, CA 8.1

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 ranks #1,474 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Buena Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Buena Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Buena Vista Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buena Vista Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

District

Walnut Creek Elementary
District Enrollment
3,547
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,571
District Rank
#2 of 7

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