Average
#7042 of 9,533 schools in CA
Donaldson Way Elementary
Elementary School · Napa Valley Unified
430 Donaldson Way, American Canyon, CA 94589
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
25.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
25.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In American Canyon
#3 of 5
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,167 of 5,817
In district
#13 of 26
Napa Valley Unified
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Donaldson Way Elementary
Donaldson Way Elementary is a regular public school located in American Canyon, California, nestled in the heart of Napa County. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 517 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25.9:1. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Donaldson Way Elementary provides a supportive educational environment for its young learners.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among California schools with a state ranking of #4527 out of 9,566. Academically, Donaldson Way Elementary has an overall score of 6.8/10, reflecting its focus on student development and continuous improvement. In ELA/Reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 42% reach proficiency levels.
Donaldson Way Elementary is situated in a mid-size suburb where the community values education and supports local schools through various programs and activities. The school's setting offers a blend of residential neighborhoods and nearby amenities, creating an inviting environment for both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Donaldson Way Elementary is 25.9:1, 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
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Donaldson Way Elementary — Students at Donaldson Way Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.4%
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 Donaldson Way Elementary Compares
See how Donaldson Way Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 41.04% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 46.27% (2024).
Location
430 Donaldson Way, American Canyon, CA 94589
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Donaldson Way Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Napa Junction Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy (rated 6.2/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Vallejo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dan Mini Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Vallejo), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in American Canyon, see our American Canyon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| American Canyon Middle American Canyon | 0.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Napa Junction Elementary American Canyon | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY American Canyon | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Canyon Oaks Elementary American Canyon | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Dan Mini Elementary Vallejo | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| American Canyon High American Canyon | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy Vallejo | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy Vallejo | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Mare Island Technology Academy Vallejo | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| MIT Academy Vallejo | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Elite Public Vallejo | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| MIT Griffin Academy Middle Vallejo | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Griffin Academy High Vallejo | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Federal Terrace Elementary Vallejo | 3.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Johnston Cooper Elementary Vallejo | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy Richmond | 3.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Life and Truth Academy Vallejo | 3.7 mi | — |
| Vallejo High Vallejo | 4.1 mi | 6.4 |
| SPECIAL TOUCH LEARNING & TRAINING ACADEMY #1 Vallejo | 4.2 mi | — |
| John Finney High (Continuation) Vallejo | 4.3 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94589 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$91,313
Median Home Value
$478,800
Median Rent
$2,127/mo
Population
30,199
College Educated
22.6%
Homeownership
63.2%
Avg Commute
36 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Donaldson Way Elementary has a median household income of $91,313. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $478,800, with a median rent of $2,127/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary Vacaville, CA | 5.3 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA | 5.3 |
| Avondale Elementary La Mesa, CA | 5.3 |
| Belvedere Elementary Highland, CA | 5.3 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary La Quinta, CA | 5.3 |
| Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Modesto, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Donaldson Way Elementary
What grades does Donaldson Way Elementary serve?
Donaldson Way Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Donaldson Way Elementary?
Donaldson Way Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 517 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Donaldson Way Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Donaldson Way Elementary is 25.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Donaldson Way Elementary rank in CA?
Donaldson Way Elementary is ranked #7042 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Donaldson Way Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Donaldson Way Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Donaldson Way Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Donaldson Way Elementary has 42.5% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Donaldson Way Elementary a charter school?
No, Donaldson Way Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Donaldson Way Elementary a Title I school?
No, Donaldson Way Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Donaldson Way Elementary?
65.4% of students at Donaldson Way 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 (1,576/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (American Canyon). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 517
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Napa County
- Phone
- (707) 644-4486
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Napa Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 16,116
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,673
- District Rank
- #13 of 26
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.
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