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Very Good

#1772 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 19% in state

Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary

Elementary School · San Jose Unified

1610 Bird Ave., San Jose, CA 95125

Enrollment

308

Student-Teacher

28:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Jose

#37 of 223

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,244 of 5,817

In district

#7 of 41

San Jose Unified

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary

Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary serves 308 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in San Jose, offering a unique Montessori approach within the public school system. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 28:1 and has earned strong recognition for its academic performance. The school demonstrates impressive student achievement, with 71% of students performing proficiently or above in mathematics and 67% reaching proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.

These results contribute to an academic score of 9.0 out of 10 and place Hammer Montessori at Galarza in the 79th percentile among California elementary schools, ranking #1985 out of 9566 schools statewide. The school's overall MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 reflects its solid academic standing. Students benefit from the Montessori educational philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on learning, self-directed activity, and collaborative play.

This approach allows children to develop at their own pace while building independence and critical thinking skills within a structured environment. The school is situated on Bird Avenue in a well-established San Jose neighborhood where families value education highly. The surrounding community in the 95125 ZIP code is characterized by strong educational attainment, with 56% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive environment for student learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary is 28:1, 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 Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.2%
Math vs. State Avg+25.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.4 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,179

Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary — Students at Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.2%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 66.8%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
70.8%
ELA
66.7%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary Compares

See how Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

1610 Bird Ave., San Jose, CA 95125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Schallenberger Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Willow Glen Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Booksin Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Ernesto Galarza Elementary San Jose 0.0 mi 4.4
Willow Glen Elementary San Jose 0.6 mi 8.2
Rocketship Alma Academy Redwood City 0.9 mi 3.2
Willow Glen High San Jose 1.0 mi 7.6
SACRED HEART NATIVTY SCHOOLS San Jose 1.1 mi 5.9
Sacred Heart Nativity School San Jose 1.1 mi
Willow Glen Middle San Jose 1.0 mi 5.8
University Preparatory Academy Charter San Jose 1.0 mi 8.3
ESTRELLA FAMILY SCHOOLS San Jose 1.0 mi
River Glen San Jose 1.0 mi 7.0
Downtown College Preparatory San Jose 1.2 mi 8.4
Downtown College Preparatory Middle San Jose 1.2 mi 4.3
Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary Redwood City 1.3 mi 3.7
Washington Elementary San Jose 1.3 mi 3.3
Spectrum Center Schools and Programs San Jose 1.3 mi
Canoas Elementary San Jose 1.3 mi 6.2
SPECTRUM CENTER-SAN JOSE San Jose 1.3 mi 7.8
Gardner Elementary San Jose 1.4 mi 6.6
Schallenberger Elementary San Jose 1.6 mi 8.4
Booksin Elementary San Jose 1.5 mi 7.7

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 Hammer Montessori at Galarza 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
A. L. Conner Elementary Orange Cove, CA 7.8
Academy for Enriched Sciences Encino, CA 7.8
Bellevue Elementary Santa Rosa, CA 7.8
Benjamin Bubb Elementary Mountain View, CA 7.8
Bret Harte Elementary Sacramento, CA 7.8
Cabazon Elementary Cabazon, CA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary

What grades does Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary serve?

Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary?

Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 308 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary is 28:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary rank in CA?

Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary is ranked #1772 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary has 66.2% math proficiency and 66.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary a charter school?

No, Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hammer Montessori at Galarza Elementary?

19.8% of students at Hammer Montessori at Galarza 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

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,210/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Jose). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Jose Unified
District Enrollment
25,059
Schools in District
41
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,909
District Rank
#7 of 41

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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