Below Average
#7787 of 9,533 schools in CA
Edward M. Downer Elementary
Elementary School · West Contra Costa Unified
1231 18th St., San Pablo, CA 94806
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Pablo
#5 of 9
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,618 of 5,817
In district
#39 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
About Edward M. Downer Elementary
Edward M. Downer Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in San Pablo, California, in Contra Costa County. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 405 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
The academic performance at Downer Elementary is currently rated at 2.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it #9002 among the nearly 9600 schools in California. In ELA/Reading proficiency, around 18% of students are considered proficient or above, while only about 13% achieve this level in Math. Despite these challenges, Downer Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.
The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering easy access to local amenities and resources. With an emphasis on community involvement and student development, Edward M. Downer Elementary continues to work towards enhancing educational outcomes for all its students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Edward M. Downer Elementary is 23.8:1, 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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Data not available for this school
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Edward M. Downer Elementary — Students at Edward M. Downer Elementary score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 5.9/10.
How Edward M. Downer Elementary Compares
See how Edward M. Downer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 12.45% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 17.39% (2024).
Location
1231 18th St., San Pablo, CA 94806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Edward M. Downer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bayview Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ford Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dover Elementary (rated 4.6/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Pablo, see our San Pablo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Richmond | 0.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Dover Elementary San Pablo | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Richmond High Richmond | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| St. Paul School San Pable | 0.6 mi | — |
| Ford Elementary Richmond | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| SALESIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Richmond | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Salesian High School d/b/a Salesian College Preparatory Richmond | 0.6 mi | — |
| Grant Elementary Richmond | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Verde Elementary Richmond | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL Richmond | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Peres Elementary Richmond | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Helms Middle San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Lake Elementary San Pablo | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Leadership Public Schools: Richmond Oakland | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Voices College-Bound Language Acad at W. Contra Costa Co San Jose | 1.4 mi | 2.8 |
| Greenwood Academy Richmond | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Manzanita Middle Richmond | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Bayview Elementary San Pablo | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Middle College High San Pablo | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary Richmond | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,818
Median Home Value
$582,000
Median Rent
$2,013/mo
Population
61,749
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
50.6%
Avg Commute
34.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Edward M. Downer Elementary has a median household income of $82,818. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $582,000, with a median rent of $2,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Allen at Steinbeck San Jose, CA | 4.9 |
| Alta Heights Elementary Napa, CA | 4.9 |
| Aspire Inskeep Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 4.9 |
| Barbara Webster Elementary Santa Paula, CA | 4.9 |
| Bel Air Elementary Bay Point, CA | 4.9 |
| Bella Mente Montessori Academy Vista, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Edward M. Downer Elementary
What grades does Edward M. Downer Elementary serve?
Edward M. Downer Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Edward M. Downer Elementary?
Edward M. Downer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 405 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Edward M. Downer Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Edward M. Downer Elementary is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Edward M. Downer Elementary rank in CA?
Edward M. Downer Elementary is ranked #7787 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Edward M. Downer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Edward M. Downer Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Edward M. Downer Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Edward M. Downer Elementary has 13.1% math proficiency and 17.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Edward M. Downer Elementary a charter school?
No, Edward M. Downer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Edward M. Downer Elementary a Title I school?
No, Edward M. Downer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Edward M. Downer Elementary?
68.6% of students at Edward M. Downer 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 (3,196/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Pablo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 405
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (510) 234-3851
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #39 of 52
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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