Average
#6020 of 9,533 schools in CA
Del Mar Elementary
Elementary School · Live Oak Elementary
1959 Merrill St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Cruz
#18 of 25
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,611 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 6
Live Oak Elementary
About Del Mar Elementary
Del Mar Elementary, a regular public school in Santa Cruz, California, serves kindergarten through fifth grade students. With an enrollment of 310 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1, Del Mar offers personalized learning opportunities supported by 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 reflects areas for academic growth; it ranks at the 53rd percentile statewide with an Academic Score of 6.1/10.
In reading and ELA, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 35% demonstrate proficiency. Del Mar Elementary is situated in a mid-size suburb where families value community engagement and supportive educational environments despite the current academic focus on development and improvement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Del Mar Elementary is 22.1:1, 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
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 10 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: 4.9/10.
How Del Mar Elementary Compares
See how Del Mar Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 33.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 44.9% (2024).
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. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.7 |
| Live Oak Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 3.9 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 8.8 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | — |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 1.9 mi | 3.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Del Mar Elementary has a median household income of $108,261. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,064,600, with a median rent of $2,291/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco, CA | 5.8 |
| BAIS CHAYA MUSHKA Los Angeles, CA | 5.8 |
| Belshaw Elementary Antioch, CA | 5.8 |
| Blanche Charles Elementary Calexico, CA | 5.8 |
| Brookhurst Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 5.8 |
| Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow, CA | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #6020 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Del Mar Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Del Mar Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Del Mar Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Del Mar Elementary has 35.3% math proficiency and 46.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (831) 477-2063
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Live Oak Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,675
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,863
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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.