Excellent
#922 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 10% in state
Hawthorne Elementary
Elementary School · San Luis Coastal Unified
2125 Story St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Luis Obispo
#2 of 13
public schools
California elementary schools
#669 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 15
San Luis Coastal Unified
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Hawthorne Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary is a public elementary school in San Luis Obispo, CA, part of the San Luis Coastal Unified. The school serves approximately 415 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.3th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 59% in reading/language arts, 13 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $95,386, where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Elementary is 21.8:1, 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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Hawthorne Elementary — Students at Hawthorne Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 8.5/10.
How Hawthorne Elementary Compares
See how Hawthorne Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 60% (2019) to 58.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 60.89% (2024).
Location
2125 Story St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hawthorne Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C L Smith Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pacheco Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Sinsheimer Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Luis Obispo, see our San Luis Obispo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lindamood-Bell Academy San Luis Obispo | 0.7 mi | — |
| MISSION COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL San Luis Obispo | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School San Luis Obispo | 0.8 mi | — |
| Old Mission School San Luis Obispo | 0.8 mi | — |
| OLD MISSION SCHOOL San Luis Obispo | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| PEEP - PREPARE San Luis Obispo | 0.9 mi | — |
| Sinsheimer Elementary San Luis Obispo | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| San Luis Obispo High San Luis Obispo | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| San Luis Obispo Classical Academy San Luis Obispo | 1.7 mi | — |
| Teach Elementary San Luis Obispo | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| ORFALEA FAMILY & ASI CHILDREN'S CENTER RM # 133 San Luis Obispo | 1.9 mi | — |
| Pacheco Elementary San Luis Obispo | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| C L Smith Elementary San Luis Obispo | 1.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Pacific Beach High San Luis Obispo | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL San Luis Obispo | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Laguna Middle San Luis Obispo | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL SCHOOL San Luis Obispo | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Los Ranchos Elementary San Luis Obispo | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court San Luis Obispo | 4.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,386
Median Home Value
$943,500
Median Rent
$1,859/mo
Population
29,995
College Educated
56.8%
Homeownership
47.4%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hawthorne Elementary has a median household income of $95,386. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $943,500, with a median rent of $1,859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary La Crescenta, CA | 8.3 |
| Almond Elementary Los Altos, CA | 8.3 |
| Barton Hill Elementary San Pedro, CA | 8.3 |
| Baywood Elementary Los Osos, CA | 8.3 |
| Beethoven Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.3 |
| Blythe Street Elementary Reseda, CA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hawthorne Elementary
What grades does Hawthorne Elementary serve?
Hawthorne Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Hawthorne Elementary?
Hawthorne Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Elementary is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hawthorne Elementary rank in CA?
Hawthorne Elementary is ranked #922 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Hawthorne Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hawthorne Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Hawthorne Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hawthorne Elementary has 56.3% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hawthorne Elementary a charter school?
No, Hawthorne Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hawthorne Elementary a Title I school?
No, Hawthorne Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hawthorne Elementary?
51.1% of students at Hawthorne 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
- Walk Score
- 88 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 87 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,097/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Luis Obispo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- San Luis Obispo County
- Phone
- (805) 596-4070
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Luis Coastal Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,577
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,117
- District Rank
- #5 of 15
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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