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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.3%
Math vs. State Avg+35.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+35.5 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,413

Carlton Elementary — Students at Carlton Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

3.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 81.4%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 78.8%
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
84%
ELA
81%
2024
Math
80.7%
ELA
78.3%

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.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in CA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
4%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Union Elementary
District Enrollment
5,371
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,087
District Rank
#5 of 8

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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