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Average

#6767 of 9,539 schools in CA

Dana Elementary

Elementary School · Lucia Mar Unified

920 West Tefft St., Nipomo, CA 93444

Enrollment

601

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#6,767 of 9,539

In Nipomo

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#16 of 19

Lucia Mar Unified

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Dana Elementary

5.3/10

Elementary School in Nipomo · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lange (dorothea) Elementary

5.7/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Nipomo High

6.1/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dana Elementary

Dana Elementary is a public elementary school in Nipomo, CA, part of Lucia Mar Unified. Dana Elementary serves approximately 601 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Dana Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #6,767 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Dana Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • CA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,858
Chronic Absenteeism28%

Dana Elementary — Students at Dana Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 41.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25.6%
ELA
32.7%
2024
Math
30.3%
ELA
36.9%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Dana Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

920 West Tefft St., Nipomo, CA 93444

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dana Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sanchez (David J.) Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairlawn Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nipomo, see our Nipomo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lange (Dorothea) Elementary Nipomo 1.3 mi 5.7
Nipomo High Nipomo 1.5 mi 6.1
Central Coast New Tech High Nipomo 1.6 mi 8.5
Nipomo Elementary Nipomo 1.8 mi 4.3
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria 4.1 mi 5.6
Bonita Elementary Santa Maria 4.9 mi 4.8
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 4.6 mi 6.8
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 5.0 mi 5.0
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 5.6 mi
Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria 5.6 mi 5.2
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 5.9 mi 6.3
Mary Buren Elementary Guadalupe 5.6 mi 6.0
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 5.8 mi 6.6
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary Santa Maria 5.6 mi 4.4
Rice (William) Elementary Santa Maria 5.8 mi 4.6
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 5.9 mi 5.7
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 6.0 mi
Mesa Middle Arroyo Grande 5.8 mi 6.0
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 6.8 mi 6.8
Pacific View Academy Arroyo Grande 6.0 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,655

Median Home Value

$746,400

Median Rent

$2,034/mo

Population

21,495

College Educated

34.3%

Homeownership

74%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

44

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A. H. Morgan Elementary Rialto, CA 5.3
Acacia Magnet School for Enriched Learning Thousand Oaks, CA 5.3
Alberta Martone Elementary Modesto, CA 5.3
Alcott Elementary Pomona, CA 5.3
Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA 5.3
Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville, CA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dana Elementary

What grades does Dana Elementary serve?

Dana Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Dana Elementary?

Dana Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 601 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dana Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Dana Elementary is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dana Elementary rank in CA?

Dana Elementary ranks #6,767 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Dana Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dana Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Dana Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dana Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Dana Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Dana Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

76.7% of students at Dana 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

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
San Luis Obispo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.0%

District

Lucia Mar Unified
District Enrollment
9,621
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,858
District Rank
#16 of 19

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