Needs Improvement
#9259 of 9,533 schools in CA
Empire Gardens Elementary
Elementary School · San Jose Unified
1060 East Empire St., San Jose, CA 95112
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Jose
#207 of 223
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,604 of 5,817
In district
#38 of 41
San Jose Unified
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Empire Gardens Elementary
Empire Gardens Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in San Jose, California. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 226 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest academic scores, Empire Gardens Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where each child can grow and develop.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.5 out of 10, the school is ranked at #9265 out of 9566 schools in California, indicating there's room for improvement in academic performance. The ELA proficiency rate stands at 17%, while math proficiency hovers around 9%. These figures suggest that Empire Gardens Elementary places a strong emphasis on student development and community support.
Empire Gardens Elementary is situated in the heart of San Jose, offering students access to city resources and cultural opportunities. This setting provides a vibrant backdrop for learning and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
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Empire Gardens Elementary — Students at Empire Gardens Elementary score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
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.
* 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: 2.2/10.
How Empire Gardens Elementary Compares
See how Empire Gardens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 12.9% (2024).
Location
1060 East Empire St., San Jose, CA 95112
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Empire Gardens Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Anne Darling Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rocketship Discovery Prep (rated 6.0/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Redwood City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Selma Olinder Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ACE Inspire Academy San Jose | 0.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Sunrise Middle San Jose | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Rocketship Discovery Prep Redwood City | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| San Jose High San Jose | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Anne Darling Elementary San Jose | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Grant Elementary San Jose | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| CRISTO REY SAN JOSE JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL San Jose | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School San Jose | 0.8 mi | — |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL San Jose | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Horace Mann Elementary San Jose | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Selma Olinder Elementary San Jose | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| KIPP San Jose Collegiate San Jose | 1.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Pegasus High San Jose | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| ACE Charter High San Jose | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Downtown College Prep - Alum Rock San Jose | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| McKinley Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Independence High San Jose | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| San Antonio Elementary San Jose | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Lrng in an Urban Comm with High Achievement (L.U.C.H.A.) San Jose | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Muwekma Ohlone Middle San Jose | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95112 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,649
Median Home Value
$956,300
Median Rent
$2,095/mo
Population
56,766
College Educated
39.2%
Homeownership
27.9%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Median Age
32.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Empire Gardens Elementary has a median household income of $89,649. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $956,300, with a median rent of $2,095/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| ACORN Woodland Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.5 |
| Anderson Valley Elementary Boonville, CA | 3.5 |
| BEATITUDES OF OUR LORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL La Mirada, CA | 3.5 |
| Grenada Elementary Grenada, CA | 3.5 |
| Lowell Elementary San Jose, CA | 3.5 |
| Mariano Castro Elementary Mountain View, CA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Empire Gardens Elementary
What grades does Empire Gardens Elementary serve?
Empire Gardens Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Empire Gardens Elementary?
Empire Gardens Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 226 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Empire Gardens Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Empire Gardens Elementary is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Empire Gardens Elementary rank in CA?
Empire Gardens Elementary is ranked #9259 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Empire Gardens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Empire Gardens Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Empire Gardens Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Empire Gardens Elementary has 8.7% math proficiency and 16.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Empire Gardens Elementary a charter school?
No, Empire Gardens Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Empire Gardens Elementary a Title I school?
No, Empire Gardens Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Empire Gardens Elementary?
76.1% of students at Empire Gardens 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 (3,210/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Jose). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 226
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 535-6221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Jose Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,059
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,909
- District Rank
- #38 of 41
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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