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Needs Improvement

#9141 of 9,533 schools in CA

Freedom Elementary

Elementary School · Pajaro Valley Unified

25 Holly Dr., Freedom, CA 95019

Enrollment

499

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Freedom

#2 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,515 of 5,817

In district

#31 of 33

Pajaro Valley Unified

About Freedom Elementary

Freedom Elementary is a regular public school located in Freedom, California, in the heart of Santa Cruz County. Situated at 25 Holly Dr., this elementary school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 499 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1, Freedom Elementary aims to provide personalized attention while fostering a supportive learning environment.

The school is staffed by 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping their young learners grow academically and socially. Although the MySchoolScout rating for academic performance stands at 2.3 out of 10 with state rankings in the lower third percentile, Freedom Elementary focuses on student development and has room for improvement in areas like ELA/Reading and Math proficiency. Located in a small city setting, Freedom Elementary is embedded within a close-knit community where students benefit from local resources and support networks.

The school's commitment to its students reflects its dedication to nurturing future leaders and thinkers in the Santa Cruz area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Freedom Elementary is 22.7:1, 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13.4%
Math vs. State Avg-27.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.3 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,077

Freedom Elementary — Students at Freedom Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.4%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 17.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 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
26%
ELA
36%
2024
Math
19%
ELA
13.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Freedom Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

25 Holly Dr., Freedom, CA 95019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Freedom Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. H. A. Hyde Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Watsonville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Starlight Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Watsonville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Amesti Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Watsonville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Freedom, see our Freedom schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
GREEN VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watsonville 0.3 mi 5.6
Rolling Hills Middle Watsonville 0.5 mi 5.6
Diamond Technology Institute Watsonville 0.7 mi 8.0
Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter Freedom 0.8 mi 7.3
Starlight Elementary Watsonville 0.8 mi 6.4
H. A. Hyde Elementary Watsonville 0.8 mi 7.0
Cesar E. Chavez Middle Watsonville 0.9 mi 4.5
Pacific Coast Charter Watsonville 0.9 mi 6.0
New School Community Day Watsonville 1.2 mi 4.9
Calabasas Elementary Watsonville 1.1 mi 5.0
Landmark Elementary Watsonville 1.3 mi 4.5
Pajaro Valley High Watsonville 1.3 mi 5.6
Amesti Elementary Watsonville 1.3 mi 6.0
MORELAND NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Watsonville 1.6 mi 5.5
Moreland Notre Dame Watsonville 1.6 mi
Radcliff Elementary Watsonville 1.7 mi 5.5
T. S. MacQuiddy Elementary Watsonville 1.6 mi 3.7
Mintie White Elementary Watsonville 1.7 mi 4.6
E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville 1.8 mi 4.9
Watsonville Prep Hollister 1.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95019 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,314

Median Home Value

$678,200

Median Rent

$1,468/mo

Population

6,235

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

31.6%

Avg Commute

31.5 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

31.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Freedom Elementary has a median household income of $68,314. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $678,200, with a median rent of $1,468/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Birch Grove Primary Newark, CA 3.7
Coarsegold Elementary Coarsegold, CA 3.7
Creekside Oaks Elementary Lincoln, CA 3.7
Curtis Creek Elementary Sonora, CA 3.7
Don Riggio Stockton, CA 3.7
Golden Valley River Orangevale, CA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Freedom Elementary

What grades does Freedom Elementary serve?

Freedom Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Freedom Elementary?

Freedom Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Freedom Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Freedom Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Freedom Elementary rank in CA?

Freedom Elementary is ranked #9141 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Freedom Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Freedom Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Freedom Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Freedom Elementary has 20.4% math proficiency and 17.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Freedom Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Freedom Elementary a Title I school?

No, Freedom Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

92.2% of students at Freedom 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

County Safety
Average (487/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Santa Cruz County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pajaro Valley Unified
District Enrollment
17,013
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,409
District Rank
#31 of 33

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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