Average
#4931 of 9,533 schools in CA
Harding Elementary
Elementary School · West Contra Costa Unified
7230 Fairmont Ave., EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Cerrito
#6 of 7
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,019 of 5,817
In district
#22 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
Equity
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Harding Elementary
Harding Elementary, located in El Cerrito, California, is a welcoming public school for students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 474 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.7:1, Harding provides a moderate learning environment supported by 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating stands at 6.7 out of 10, reflecting its position in the top 70th percentile among California schools with a state ranking of #2887 out of 9566 institutions.
In terms of academic performance, Harding Elementary scores a 7.6/10 for overall academic achievement. Students show proficiency rates of 57% in English Language Arts and Reading, while Math proficiency comes in at 47%. These figures indicate that the school is focusing on continuous improvement to enhance student development across all grades.
Harding Elementary sits in a large suburban area, offering students a variety of community resources and opportunities for extracurricular activities. The setting provides a blend of urban amenities with the benefits of a more spacious and quieter environment, making it an ideal location for families looking for both educational excellence and neighborhood charm.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Harding Elementary is 23.7:1, 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
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Harding Elementary — Students at Harding Elementary score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.3%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.
How Harding Elementary Compares
See how Harding Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 46.92% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 55.98% (2024).
Location
7230 Fairmont Ave., EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Thousand Oaks Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Berkeley), which scores notably higher. Another option is PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairmont Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Cerrito, see our EL Cerrito schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Albany Middle Albany | 0.3 mi | 8.1 |
| El Cerrito High El Cerrito | 0.3 mi | 7.8 |
| GOLESTAN SCHOOL El Cerrito | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Golestan School El Cerrito | 0.3 mi | — |
| Albany High Albany | 0.5 mi | 9.0 |
| MacGregor High (Continuation) Albany | 0.5 mi | — |
| Fairmont Elementary El Cerrito | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Tilden Preparatory School Albany | 0.8 mi | — |
| TILDEN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Albany | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Cornell Elementary Albany | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Prospect Sierra School El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | — |
| Invictus Academy of Richmond El Cerrito | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Marin Elementary Albany | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF KENSINGTON Kensington | 1.0 mi | — |
| Thousand Oaks Elementary Berkeley | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Ocean View Elementary Albany | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Kensington Elementary Kensington | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Fred T. Korematsu Middle El Cerrito | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Saint Mary's College High School Berkeley | 1.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94530 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,731
Median Home Value
$1,097,300
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Population
26,229
College Educated
66.4%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harding Elementary has a median household income of $127,731. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,097,300, with a median rent of $2,434/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Agnes M. Baptist Elementary Modesto, CA | 6.3 |
| Anza Elementary Torrance, CA | 6.3 |
| Arts In Action Community Charter Los Angeles, CA | 6.3 |
| BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA | 6.3 |
| Badillo Elementary Covina, CA | 6.3 |
| Bay Park Elementary San Diego, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding Elementary
What grades does Harding Elementary serve?
Harding Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Harding Elementary?
Harding Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harding Elementary is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harding Elementary rank in CA?
Harding Elementary is ranked #4931 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Harding Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Harding Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding Elementary has 47.1% math proficiency and 57.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harding Elementary a charter school?
No, Harding Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harding Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harding Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harding Elementary?
29.3% of students at Harding 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 (3,579/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Cerrito). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (510) 231-1413
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #22 of 52
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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