Below Average
#8006 of 9,539 schools in CA
Gardner Elementary
Elementary School · San Jose Unified
502 Illinois Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,006 of 9,539
In San Jose
#184 of 223
public schools
In district
#32 of 41
San Jose Unified
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Gardner Elementary
Elementary School in San Jose · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sacred Heart Nativity School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gardner Elementary
Gardner Elementary is a public elementary school in San Jose, CA, part of San Jose Unified. Gardner Elementary serves approximately 397 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Gardner Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,006 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Gardner Elementary show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Gardner Elementary runs 20.9:1 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.
48% of students at Gardner 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
Gardner Elementary — Students at Gardner Elementary score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 4.3/10.
How Gardner Elementary Compares
See how Gardner Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
502 Illinois Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardner Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Glen Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary Redwood City | 0.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Sacred Heart Nativity School San Jose | 0.6 mi | — |
| SACRED HEART NATIVTY SCHOOLS San Jose | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| River Glen San Jose | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ESTRELLA FAMILY SCHOOLS San Jose | 0.8 mi | — |
| Washington Elementary San Jose | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Notre Dame High School San Jose San Jose | 0.8 mi | — |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL San Jose | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| BASIS INDEPENDENT SILICON VALLEY San Jose | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| BASIS Independent Silicon Valley San Jose | 0.9 mi | — |
| ST LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL San Jose | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Willow Glen Elementary San Jose | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Rocketship Alma Academy Redwood City | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Lowell Elementary San Jose | 1.1 mi | 2.7 |
| Horace Mann Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 3.0 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL San Jose | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Downtown College Preparatory San Jose | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Downtown College Preparatory Middle San Jose | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$148,422
Median Home Value
$1,646,000
Median Rent
$2,394/mo
Population
53,934
College Educated
56.2%
Homeownership
60.1%
Avg Commute
27.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
41.2
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 Gardner Elementary
What grades does Gardner Elementary serve?
Gardner Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Gardner Elementary?
Gardner Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardner Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner 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 Gardner Elementary rank in CA?
Gardner Elementary ranks #8,006 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Gardner Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner 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 Gardner Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gardner Elementary has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Gardner Elementary a charter school?
No, Gardner Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardner Elementary a Title I school?
No, Gardner Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardner Elementary?
74.1% of students at Gardner 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 397
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.6%
- Phone
- (408) 535-6225
Resources & Links
District
San Jose Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,059
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,909
- District Rank
- #32 of 41
Other Schools in This District
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