Excellent
#1162 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 12% in state
Carlton Elementary
Elementary School · Union Elementary
2421 Carlton Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Enrollment
662
Student-Teacher
27.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
662
Student-Teacher
27.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,162 of 9,539
In San Jose
#33 of 223
public schools
In district
#3 of 8
Union Elementary
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Carlton Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Carlton Elementary
Elementary School in San Jose · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Alta Vista Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Learning Pathways Kindergarten
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Carlton Elementary
Carlton Elementary is a public elementary school in San Jose, CA, part of Union Elementary. Carlton Elementary serves approximately 662 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 27.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Carlton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,162 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Carlton Elementary show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 7.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Carlton Elementary runs 27.6:1 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Carlton Elementary — Students at Carlton Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
3.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 9.1/10.
How Carlton Elementary Compares
See how Carlton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2421 Carlton Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carlton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blossom Hill Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Los Gatos), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST FRANCES CABRINI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, YAVNEH DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Los Gatos), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Learning Pathways Kindergarten San Jose | 0.7 mi | — |
| LEARNING PATHWAYS KINDERGARTEN San Jose | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Union Middle San Jose | 0.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Farnham Charter San Jose | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| St. Frances Cabrini Elementary School San Jose | 1.0 mi | — |
| ST FRANCES CABRINI CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Jose | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| YAVNEH DAY SCHOOL Los Gatos | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Blossom Hill Elementary Los Gatos | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Stratford School Los Gatos Los Gatos | 1.2 mi | — |
| Hillbrook School Los Gatos | 1.5 mi | — |
| EDISON LEARNING CORP. Campbell | 1.5 mi | — |
| HILLBROOK SCHOOL Los Gatos | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Casa di Mir Montessori Elementary School San Jose | 1.5 mi | — |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING ACADEMY San Jose | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| JIA-RAY LEARNING CENTER San Jose | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| ONE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL INC. LEIGH San Jose | 1.4 mi | — |
| Raymond J. Fisher Middle Los Gatos | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Village Campbell | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Leigh High San Jose | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$188,433
Median Home Value
$1,596,700
Median Rent
$2,936/mo
Population
51,991
College Educated
60.9%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
4%
Median Age
39.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA | 8.3 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Redondo Beach, CA | 8.3 |
| Altamont Creek Elementary Livermore, CA | 8.3 |
| Alvarado Elementary San Francisco, CA | 8.3 |
| Anthony G. Bacich Elementary Kentfield, CA | 8.3 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary South Pasadena, CA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carlton Elementary
What grades does Carlton Elementary serve?
Carlton Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Carlton Elementary?
Carlton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 662 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Carlton Elementary is 27.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carlton Elementary rank in CA?
Carlton Elementary ranks #1,162 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Carlton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Carlton Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Carlton Elementary has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Carlton Elementary a charter school?
No, Carlton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carlton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Carlton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlton Elementary?
3.6% of students at Carlton 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 662
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 3.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.6%
- Phone
- (408) 356-1141
Resources & Links
District
Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 5,371
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,087
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.