Average
#4057 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 43% in state
Carlton Elementary
Elementary School · Union Elementary
2421 Carlton Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Enrollment
662
Student-Teacher
27.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
662
Student-Teacher
27.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Jose
#94 of 223
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,585 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 8
Union Elementary
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Carlton Elementary
Carlton Elementary serves 662 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Jose, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking in the 86th percentile statewide at #1288 out of 9566 California schools, Carlton demonstrates strong academic achievement across all grade levels. The school's 24 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a student-teacher ratio of 27.6:1 while delivering impressive results in core subjects.
Students consistently excel in both English Language Arts, where 78% score proficient or above, and mathematics, where an even stronger 81% reach proficiency standards. This academic success reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and effective teaching practices. Carlton Elementary draws families from the affluent 95124 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $178,058 and nearly 60% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 4.4% and median home values of $1.5 million indicate a well-resourced community that strongly values education. Located on Carlton Avenue in this large city setting, the school benefits from being part of a highly educated, economically stable community that provides strong support for student learning and academic achievement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Carlton Elementary is 27.6:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Carlton Elementary — Students at Carlton Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
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 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: 7.0/10.
How Carlton Elementary Compares
See how Carlton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 80.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 78.33% (2024).
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. YAVNEH DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Los Gatos), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST FRANCES CABRINI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HILLBROOK SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Los Gatos), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.2 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| Farnham Charter San Jose | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Blossom Hill Elementary Los Gatos | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 8.9 |
| Village Campbell | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carlton Elementary has a median household income of $188,433. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,596,700, with a median rent of $2,936/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| A. E. Arnold Elementary Cypress, CA | 6.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA | 6.7 |
| Acacia Elementary Fullerton, CA | 6.7 |
| Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA | 6.7 |
| Agnes L. Smith Elementary Huntington Beach, CA | 6.7 |
| Anthony C. Traina Elementary Tracy, CA | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #4057 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Carlton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlton Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Carlton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlton Elementary has 81.4% math proficiency and 78.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,210/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Jose). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (408) 356-1141
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 5,371
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,087
- District Rank
- #5 of 8
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
- 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.