Average
#5209 of 9,539 schools in CA
Captain Cooper Elementary
Elementary School · Carmel Unified
PO Box 250, Big Sur, CA 93920
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,209 of 9,539
In district
#5 of 5
Carmel Unified
School environment
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Captain Cooper Elementary
Elementary School in Big Sur · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Tularcitos Elementary
15.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Dunstan's Episcopal School
16.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Captain Cooper Elementary
Captain Cooper Elementary is a public elementary school in Big Sur, CA, part of Carmel Unified. Captain Cooper Elementary serves approximately 47 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Captain Cooper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #5,209 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Captain Cooper Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 7.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 47 students, Captain Cooper Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 9.4:1 students to teachers, Captain Cooper Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Captain Cooper Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Captain Cooper Elementary — Students at Captain Cooper Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.
How Captain Cooper Elementary Compares
See how Captain Cooper Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 250, Big Sur, CA 93920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Captain Cooper Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tularcitos Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Carmel Valley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carmel River Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Carmel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Carmel), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Sur, see our Big Sur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tularcitos Elementary Carmel Valley | 15.0 mi | 8.4 |
| ST DUNSTAN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Carmel | 16.9 mi | — |
| Carmel Valley High Carmel | 17.5 mi | — |
| ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Carmel | 17.6 mi | 8.2 |
| All Saints' Episcopal Day School Carmel | 17.6 mi | — |
| Washington Elementary Salinas | 18.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Carmel Middle Carmel | 19.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Carmel River Elementary Carmel | 19.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Carmel High Carmel | 20.1 mi | 8.6 |
| YORK SCHOOL Monterey | 20.7 mi | 8.0 |
| RYAN RANCH CHILDRENS CENTER PRESCHOOL Monterey | 21.0 mi | — |
| STEVENSON SCHOOL CARMEL CAMPUS Carmel | 20.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel | 20.9 mi | — |
| La Mesa Monterey | 21.4 mi | 7.2 |
| San Benancio Middle Salinas | 21.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Classical Christian Academy Monterey Bay Monterey | 22.2 mi | — |
| SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL Monterey | 22.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Santa Catalina School Monterey | 22.1 mi | — |
| Peninsula Adventist School Seaside | 22.3 mi | — |
| PENINSULA ADVENTIST SCHOOL Seaside | 22.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,540
Median Home Value
$1,803,800
Median Rent
$1,085/mo
Population
1,564
College Educated
37.4%
Homeownership
37.5%
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
36
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BRAWLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Brawley, CA | 6.1 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL SCHOOL San Luis Obispo, CA | 6.1 |
| Siskiyou Avenue Elementary Oroville, CA | 6.1 |
| TZU CHI ELEMENTARY SATOA Walnut, CA | 6.1 |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz, CA | 6.1 |
| ADVENTIST UNION SCHOOL Bellflower, CA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Captain Cooper Elementary
What grades does Captain Cooper Elementary serve?
Captain Cooper Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Captain Cooper Elementary?
Captain Cooper Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Captain Cooper Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Captain Cooper Elementary is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Captain Cooper Elementary rank in CA?
Captain Cooper Elementary ranks #5,209 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Captain Cooper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Captain Cooper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Captain Cooper Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Captain Cooper Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Captain Cooper Elementary a charter school?
No, Captain Cooper Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Captain Cooper Elementary a Title I school?
No, Captain Cooper Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Captain Cooper Elementary?
51.1% of students at Captain Cooper 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 47
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 667-2452
Resources & Links
District
Carmel Unified- District Enrollment
- 2,159
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $33,756
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
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