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Needs Improvement

#8700 of 9,539 schools in CA

Hamilton Tk-8

Elementary School · Novato Unified

5530 Nave Dr., Novato, CA 94949

Enrollment

522

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,700 of 9,539

In Novato

#14 of 15

public schools

In district

#13 of 14

Novato Unified

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Hamilton Tk-8

3.9/10

Elementary School in Novato · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Novato Charter

6.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Loma Verde Elementary

5.8/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hamilton Tk-8

Hamilton Tk-8 is a public elementary school in Novato, CA, part of Novato Unified. Hamilton Tk-8 serves approximately 522 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Hamilton Tk-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #8,700 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Hamilton Tk-8 show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.4
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Hamilton Tk-8 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,083
Chronic Absenteeism22.8%

Hamilton Tk-8 — Students at Hamilton Tk-8 score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 41.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 40 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
18.2%
ELA
31.2%
2024
Math
23.4%
ELA
33.2%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Hamilton Tk-8 Compares

See how Hamilton Tk-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
9th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5530 Nave Dr., Novato, CA 94949

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hamilton Tk-8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MARIN WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby San Rafael), which scores notably higher. Another option is Novato Charter (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Loma Verde Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Novato, see our Novato schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Novato Charter Novato 0.3 mi 6.9
Loma Verde Elementary Novato 1.2 mi 5.8
Winston Preparatory School San Rafael 1.5 mi
GATE Academy San Rafael 1.5 mi
Mary E. Silveira Elementary San Rafael 1.4 mi 5.8
Miller Creek Middle San Rafael 1.9 mi 7.4
STAR ACADEMY San Rafael 2.5 mi 7.1
FUSION ACADEMY MARIN San Rafael 2.5 mi
Fusion Academy Marin San Rafael 2.5 mi
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Novato 2.4 mi 5.7
BOOST of Cypress School San Rafael 2.6 mi
MARIN WALDORF SCHOOL San Rafael 2.4 mi 7.4
Marin Waldorf School San Rafael 2.4 mi
San Jose Middle Novato 2.6 mi 6.7
Phoenix Academy San Rafael 3.0 mi
Marin County Special Education San Rafael 3.0 mi 4.1
Marin's Community San Rafael 3.0 mi 4.4
Marin County Juvenile Court San Rafael 2.7 mi
Lynwood Elementary Novato 2.9 mi 3.8
Marin Christian Academy Main Campus Novato 3.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$116,101

Median Home Value

$1,075,600

Median Rent

$2,596/mo

Population

18,357

College Educated

47.6%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

47.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A. M. Winn Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA 3.9
Alberhill Elementary Lake Elsinore, CA 3.9
Albert Schweitzer Elementary Carmichael, CA 3.9
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary Half Moon Bay, CA 3.9
Arboga Elementary Olivehurst, CA 3.9
Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy Oakland, CA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hamilton Tk-8

What grades does Hamilton Tk-8 serve?

Hamilton Tk-8 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Hamilton Tk-8?

Hamilton Tk-8 has an enrollment of approximately 522 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hamilton Tk-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Hamilton Tk-8 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 Hamilton Tk-8 rank in CA?

Hamilton Tk-8 ranks #8,700 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Hamilton Tk-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Hamilton Tk-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Hamilton Tk-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hamilton Tk-8 has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Hamilton Tk-8 a charter school?

No, Hamilton Tk-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hamilton Tk-8 a Title I school?

No, Hamilton Tk-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hamilton Tk-8?

64.6% of students at Hamilton Tk-8 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

Walk Score
49 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
522
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Marin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

District

Novato Unified
District Enrollment
7,209
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,083
District Rank
#13 of 14

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