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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.7%
Math vs. State Avg+23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,452

Buena Vista Elementary — Students at Buena Vista Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 69.8%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 71.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 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
72%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
69.2%
ELA
71.7%

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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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 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 6.5
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 6.8

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,181/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Walnut Creek). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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