Skip to main content

Excellent

#744 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 8% 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

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#744 of 9,539

In San Luis Obispo

#2 of 13

public schools

In district

#4 of 15

San Luis Coastal Unified

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Hawthorne Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Hawthorne Elementary

8.6/10

Elementary School in San Luis Obispo · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lindamood-bell Academy

Nearby

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

Mission College Prep High School

6.3/10

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

About Hawthorne Elementary

Hawthorne Elementary is a public elementary school in San Luis Obispo, CA, part of San Luis Coastal Unified. Hawthorne Elementary serves approximately 415 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Hawthorne Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #744 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Hawthorne Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Hawthorne Elementary runs 21.8:1 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 Progress9.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+12.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,117
Chronic Absenteeism27.5%

Hawthorne Elementary — Students at Hawthorne Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 56.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
60%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
60%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
54.4%
ELA
57.8%
2024
Math
58.4%
ELA
61%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Hawthorne Elementary Compares

See how Hawthorne Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
92th percentile in CA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.5%

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 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sinsheimer Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Los Ranchos Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 8.3
San Luis Obispo High San Luis Obispo 1.1 mi 7.8
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy San Luis Obispo 1.7 mi
Teach Elementary San Luis Obispo 1.7 mi 8.2
ORFALEA FAMILY & ASI CHILDREN'S CENTER RM # 133 San Luis Obispo 1.9 mi
Pacheco Elementary San Luis Obispo 2.0 mi 7.4
C L Smith Elementary San Luis Obispo 1.8 mi 8.4
Pacific Beach High San Luis Obispo 2.0 mi 7.0
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL San Luis Obispo 2.2 mi 4.9
Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo 2.3 mi 7.2
Laguna Middle San Luis Obispo 2.2 mi 8.8
CHRIST CLASSICAL SCHOOL San Luis Obispo 2.9 mi 6.1
Los Ranchos Elementary San Luis Obispo 4.1 mi 7.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Argonne Elementary San Francisco, CA 8.6
Audubon Elementary Foster City, CA 8.6
Brookhaven Elementary Placentia, CA 8.6
C. B. Eaton Elementary Cupertino, CA 8.6
Chandler Elementary Sherman Oaks, CA 8.6
Charnock Road Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.6

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 ranks #744 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Hawthorne Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hawthorne Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Hawthorne Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hawthorne Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
84 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.5%

District

San Luis Coastal Unified
District Enrollment
7,577
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,117
District Rank
#4 of 15

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.