Average
#4254 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 45% in state
Gardner Elementary
Elementary School · San Jose Unified
502 Illinois Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Jose
#98 of 223
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,684 of 5,817
In district
#21 of 41
San Jose Unified
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Gardner Elementary
Gardner Elementary is a regular public school located in the bustling city of San Jose, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Gardner Elementary has an enrollment of 397 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a lively urban environment, providing students with access to diverse cultural and educational resources.
While Gardner Elementary currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks at the 31st percentile in California state rankings, it is clear that there is room for academic growth. According to recent assessments, only 29% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 19% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Gardner Elementary remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment where each student can develop and thrive.
The school's location within the heart of San Jose allows it to be an integral part of the community, offering students opportunities to engage with their surroundings and learn beyond the classroom walls.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Gardner Elementary Compares
See how Gardner Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 19.78% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 29.89% (2024).
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. Willow Glen Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, River Glen (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 3.7 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| ESTRELLA FAMILY SCHOOLS San Jose | 0.8 mi | — |
| Washington Elementary San Jose | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Notre Dame High School San Jose San Jose | 0.8 mi | — |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL San Jose | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| Rocketship Alma Academy Redwood City | 1.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Lowell Elementary San Jose | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Horace Mann Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL San Jose | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Downtown College Preparatory San Jose | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Downtown College Preparatory Middle San Jose | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gardner Elementary has a median household income of $148,422. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,646,000, with a median rent of $2,394/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 SCHOOLS, INC. Laguna Beach, CA | 6.6 |
| BRIDGES Charter Thousand Oaks, CA | 6.6 |
| Blue Oak Elementary Cameron Park, CA | 6.6 |
| Blue Oaks Elementary Roseville, CA | 6.6 |
| Brea Country Hills Elementary Brea, CA | 6.6 |
| C. C. Violette Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 6.6 |
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 is ranked #4254 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Gardner Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Gardner Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardner Elementary has 18.8% math proficiency and 28.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 397
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 535-6225
- 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
- #21 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.
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