Below Average
#7997 of 9,539 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
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,997 of 9,539
In San Pablo
#5 of 9
public schools
In district
#33 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
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Edward M. Downer Elementary
Elementary School in San Pablo · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Dover Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Edward M. Downer Elementary
Edward M. Downer Elementary is a public elementary school in San Pablo, CA, part of West Contra Costa Unified. Edward M.
Downer Elementary serves approximately 405 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Edward M. Downer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #7,997 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Edward M. Downer Elementary show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Edward M. Downer Elementary runs 23.8:1 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.
44% of students at Edward M. Downer 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
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 32 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
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. Lake Elementary (rated 4.6/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Verde Elementary (rated 4.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Richmond), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bayview Elementary (rated 4.2/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 2.7 |
| Dover Elementary San Pablo | 0.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Richmond High Richmond | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| St. Paul School San Pable | 0.6 mi | — |
| Ford Elementary Richmond | 0.6 mi | 3.4 |
| 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 | 3.0 |
| Verde Elementary Richmond | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL Richmond | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Peres Elementary Richmond | 0.9 mi | 2.5 |
| Helms Middle San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Lake Elementary San Pablo | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Leadership Public Schools: Richmond Oakland | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Voices College-Bound Language Acad at W. Contra Costa Co San Jose | 1.4 mi | 1.9 |
| Greenwood Academy Richmond | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Manzanita Middle Richmond | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Bayview Elementary San Pablo | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Middle College High San Pablo | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary Richmond | 1.6 mi | 2.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA | 4.5 |
| Bandini Elementary City Of Commerce, CA | 4.5 |
| Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin, CA | 4.5 |
| Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill, CA | 4.5 |
| Beckman Elementary Lodi, CA | 4.5 |
| Bertrand Avenue Elementary Reseda, CA | 4.5 |
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 ranks #7,997 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Edward M. Downer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Edward M. Downer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Edward M. Downer Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Edward M. Downer Elementary has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.4%
- Phone
- (510) 234-3851
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #33 of 52
Other Schools in This District
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