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Average

#4680 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 49% in state

EL Carmelo Elementary

Elementary School · Palo Alto Unified

3024 Bryant St., Palo Alto, CA 94306

Enrollment

314

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palo Alto

#15 of 15

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,885 of 5,817

In district

#17 of 17

Palo Alto Unified

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About EL Carmelo Elementary

El Carmelo Elementary serves 314 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Palo Alto, California. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.9 to 1, providing a structured learning environment for elementary-aged children. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 94th percentile statewide at #549 out of 9,566 California elementary schools.

Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 66% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and an impressive 71% achieving proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. El Carmelo Elementary sits in an affluent and highly educated community where 82% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in the 94306 ZIP code features a median household income of $199,800 and median home values exceeding $2 million, reflecting the area's economic prosperity.

With a low poverty rate of 6.8% among the nearly 28,000 residents, the community provides a stable foundation for student learning. Located on Bryant Street in this small city setting, El Carmelo Elementary benefits from being part of Palo Alto's commitment to educational excellence and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at EL Carmelo Elementary is 20.9:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.3%
Math vs. State Avg+24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.5 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,292

EL Carmelo Elementary — Students at EL Carmelo Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 69.2%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
78%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
70.9%
ELA
66%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.1/10.

How EL Carmelo Elementary Compares

See how EL Carmelo Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

3024 Bryant St., Palo Alto, CA 94306

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering EL Carmelo Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Juana Briones Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ohlone Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Herbert Hoover Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palo Alto, see our Palo Alto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Keys Family Day School Palo Alto 0.4 mi
KEYS FAMILY DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto 0.4 mi 7.7
KEYS FAMILY DAY SCHOOL Palo Alto 0.6 mi 6.7
SYNAPSE SCHOOL Palo Alto 0.7 mi 8.1
Shalem Palo Alto 0.8 mi
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle Palo Alto 0.8 mi 8.7
Fairmeadow Elementary Palo Alto 0.8 mi 8.5
Lydian Academy Palo Alto 0.8 mi
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Palo Alto 0.9 mi 8.5
Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto 0.9 mi 7.2
Ohlone Elementary Palo Alto 1.0 mi 9.3
STRATFORD SCHOOL - PALO ALTO Palo Alto 1.1 mi 7.3
CASA DEI BAMBINI SCHOOL Palo Alto 0.9 mi
Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto Palo Alto 0.9 mi
LIVING WISDOM SCHOOL OF PALO ALTO Palo Alto 0.9 mi 6.3
Palo Verde Elementary Palo Alto 1.0 mi 8.5
Herbert Hoover Elementary Palo Alto 1.0 mi 9.3
ACHIEVE INC. Palo Alto 1.0 mi 8.2
Juana Briones Elementary Palo Alto 1.3 mi 9.5
CORNERSTONE LEARNING FOUNDATION Palo Alto 1.3 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$186,479

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$2,927/mo

Population

27,527

College Educated

80.5%

Homeownership

52.2%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding EL Carmelo Elementary has a median household income of $186,479. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $2,927/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. 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
ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA 6.4
Alta Elementary Reedley, CA 6.4
Argonne Elementary San Francisco, CA 6.4
BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT Fremont, CA 6.4
Bandini Elementary City of Commerce, CA 6.4
Beryl Heights Elementary Redondo Beach, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about EL Carmelo Elementary

What grades does EL Carmelo Elementary serve?

EL Carmelo Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend EL Carmelo Elementary?

EL Carmelo Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Carmelo Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at EL Carmelo Elementary is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does EL Carmelo Elementary rank in CA?

EL Carmelo Elementary is ranked #4680 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is EL Carmelo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

EL Carmelo Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 EL Carmelo Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, EL Carmelo Elementary has 72.3% math proficiency and 69.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is EL Carmelo Elementary a charter school?

No, EL Carmelo Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is EL Carmelo Elementary a Title I school?

No, EL Carmelo Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Carmelo Elementary?

20.7% of students at EL Carmelo 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

City Safety
High (3,256/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palo Alto). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Palo Alto Unified
District Enrollment
10,271
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,533
District Rank
#17 of 17

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 methodology

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