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Average

#7136 of 9,539 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

5.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,136 of 9,539

In American Canyon

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#17 of 26

Napa Valley Unified

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Donaldson Way Elementary

5.1/10

Elementary School in American Canyon · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

American Canyon Middle

5.7/10

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

Napa Junction Elementary

6.2/10

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

About Donaldson Way Elementary

Donaldson Way Elementary is a public elementary school in American Canyon, CA, part of Napa Valley Unified. Donaldson Way Elementary serves approximately 517 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Donaldson Way Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #7,136 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Donaldson Way Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Donaldson Way Elementary runs 25.9:1 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.

34% of students at Donaldson Way 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 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,673
Chronic Absenteeism33.8%

Donaldson Way Elementary — Students at Donaldson Way Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 53.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
45.5%
ELA
47.7%
2024
Math
40.8%
ELA
46.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Donaldson Way Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.8%

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

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. Canyon Oaks Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy (rated 6.5/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Napa Junction Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably 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 5.7
Napa Junction Elementary American Canyon 0.8 mi 6.2
CALVARY BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY American Canyon 0.9 mi 6.7
Canyon Oaks Elementary American Canyon 1.2 mi 6.5
Dan Mini Elementary Vallejo 1.5 mi 4.2
American Canyon High American Canyon 1.4 mi 6.2
Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy Vallejo 1.9 mi 2.7
Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy Vallejo 1.9 mi 5.1
Mare Island Technology Academy Vallejo 1.9 mi 3.9
MIT Academy Vallejo 1.9 mi 4.4
Elite Public Vallejo 2.0 mi 5.1
MIT Griffin Academy Middle Vallejo 2.8 mi 6.4
Griffin Academy High Vallejo 2.8 mi 5.5
Federal Terrace Elementary Vallejo 3.4 mi 4.0
Johnston Cooper Elementary Vallejo 3.4 mi 2.5
Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy Richmond 3.7 mi 6.5
Life and Truth Academy Vallejo 3.7 mi
Vallejo High Vallejo 4.1 mi 5.1
SPECIAL TOUCH LEARNING & TRAINING ACADEMY #1 Vallejo 4.2 mi
John Finney High (Continuation) Vallejo 4.3 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ada Givens Elementary Merced, CA 5.1
Alcott Elementary Riverside, CA 5.1
Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA 5.1
Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley, CA 5.1
Alta Vista Elementary Porterville, CA 5.1
Arovista Elementary Brea, CA 5.1

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 ranks #7,136 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Donaldson Way Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Donaldson Way Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Donaldson Way Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Donaldson Way Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.8%

District

Napa Valley Unified
District Enrollment
16,116
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,673
District Rank
#17 of 26

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