Skip to main content

Below Average

#8709 of 9,533 schools in CA

Costano Elementary

Elementary School · Ravenswood City Elementary

2695 Fordham St., East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Enrollment

318

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In East Palo Alto

#4 of 5

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,199 of 5,817

In district

#4 of 4

Ravenswood City Elementary

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Costano Elementary

Costano Elementary is a regular public elementary school in East Palo Alto, California, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 318 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to its young learners. Costano Elementary has 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their education.

The academic performance at Costano Elementary shows room for growth, with state rankings placing it in the 7th percentile among California schools and a MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10. In recent assessments, only about 10% of students were found proficient or above in both English language arts/reading and math. Despite these challenges, Costano Elementary remains committed to fostering student development and improvement within its community.

The school is situated in a large suburban area that offers a supportive environment for learning and growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency6.5%
Math vs. State Avg-37.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.3 pts
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-19.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,382

Costano Elementary — Students at Costano Elementary score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 9.6%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
8.2%
ELA
6.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Costano Elementary Compares

See how Costano Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in CA
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

2695 Fordham St., East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Costano Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Duveneck Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Palo Alto), which scores notably higher. Another option is BEECHWOOD SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Menlo Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE PRIMARY SCHOOL - EAST PALO ALTO (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Palo Alto, see our East Palo Alto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle East Palo Alto 0.5 mi 5.6
Open Mind School Menlo Park 0.5 mi
OPEN MIND SCHOOL Menlo Park 0.5 mi
KIPP Esperanza High Oakland 0.8 mi 6.4
Mid-Peninsula Education Center Menlo Park 0.7 mi
MID-PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL Menlo Park 0.7 mi 7.0
Oxford Day Academy East Palo Alto 0.9 mi 2.8
Aspire East Palo Alto Charter Oakland 0.9 mi 2.0
EASTSIDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL East Palo Alto 1.1 mi 7.5
Eastside College Preparatory School East Palo Alto 1.1 mi
East Palo Alto Academy East Palo Alto 1.1 mi 5.6
La Scuola International School Silicon Valley East Palo Alto 1.2 mi
THE PRIMARY SCHOOL - EAST PALO ALTO East Palo Alto 1.2 mi 6.7
Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy East Palo Alto 1.2 mi 4.9
Belle Haven Elementary Menlo Park 1.3 mi 5.1
BBS Palo Alto 1.7 mi
KIPP Valiant Community Prep Menlo Park 1.5 mi 6.1
Duveneck Elementary Palo Alto 2.0 mi 8.8
BEECHWOOD SCHOOL Menlo Park 1.6 mi 7.5
Silicon Valley International School Palo Alto 1.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,031

Median Home Value

$1,825,000

Median Rent

$2,710/mo

Population

47,123

College Educated

48.4%

Homeownership

57%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

38.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Costano Elementary has a median household income of $148,031. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,825,000, with a median rent of $2,710/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Alpaugh Elementary Alpaugh, CA 4.2
Aspire Capitol Heights Academy Oakland, CA 4.2
Barack Obama Charter Los Angeles, CA 4.2
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - WEST CAMPUS El Cajon, CA 4.2
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Richmond, CA 4.2
Cyril Spinelli Elementary Antelope, CA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Costano Elementary

What grades does Costano Elementary serve?

Costano Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Costano Elementary?

Costano Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Costano Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Costano Elementary is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Costano Elementary rank in CA?

Costano Elementary is ranked #8709 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Costano Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Costano Elementary has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Costano Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Costano Elementary has 10.0% math proficiency and 9.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Costano Elementary a charter school?

No, Costano Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Costano Elementary a Title I school?

No, Costano Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Costano Elementary?

84.9% of students at Costano 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 (2,570/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Palo Alto). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
San Mateo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ravenswood City Elementary
District Enrollment
1,416
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$34,067
District Rank
#4 of 4

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

Related reading

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.