Average
#4110 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 43% in state
Del Mar Elementary
Elementary School · Live Oak Elementary
1959 Merrill St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,110 of 9,539
In Santa Cruz
#14 of 25
public schools
In district
#5 of 6
Live Oak Elementary
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Del Mar Elementary
Elementary School in Santa Cruz · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Shoreline Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Live Oak Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Del Mar Elementary
Del Mar Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Live Oak Elementary. Del Mar Elementary serves approximately 310 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Del Mar Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,110 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Del Mar Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.7 · Average
- District avg 7.3
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Del Mar Elementary runs 22.1:1 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.
47% of students at Del Mar Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Del Mar Elementary — Students at Del Mar Elementary score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.3%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.
How Del Mar Elementary Compares
See how Del Mar Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1959 Merrill St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Del Mar Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Live Oak Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| VHM Christian School Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | — |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 1.4 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | — |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,261
Median Home Value
$1,064,600
Median Rent
$2,291/mo
Population
36,047
College Educated
50.7%
Homeownership
53.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
42.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL DAY SCHOOL Northridge, CA | 6.7 |
| ALL HALLOWS ACADEMY La Jolla, CA | 6.7 |
| American Union Elementary Fresno, CA | 6.7 |
| Arthur F. Corey Elementary Buena Park, CA | 6.7 |
| BRISKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 6.7 |
| Beachy Avenue Elementary Arleta, CA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Del Mar Elementary
What grades does Del Mar Elementary serve?
Del Mar Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Del Mar Elementary?
Del Mar Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 310 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Del Mar Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Del Mar Elementary is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Del Mar Elementary rank in CA?
Del Mar Elementary ranks #4,110 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Del Mar Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Del Mar Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Del Mar Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Del Mar Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Del Mar Elementary a charter school?
No, Del Mar Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Del Mar Elementary a Title I school?
No, Del Mar Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Del Mar Elementary?
62.3% of students at Del Mar 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 310
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.5%
- Phone
- (831) 477-2063
Resources & Links
District
Live Oak Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,675
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,863
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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