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Average

#3914 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 41% in state

Independent Elementary

Elementary School · Castro Valley Unified

PO Box 2146, Castro Valley, CA 94546

Enrollment

661

Student-Teacher

24.5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Castro Valley

#10 of 14

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,503 of 5,817

In district

#10 of 14

Castro Valley Unified

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Independent Elementary

Independent Elementary serves 661 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Castro Valley, offering a strong academic foundation in Alameda County. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.5:1, providing structured learning environments for its elementary students. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking in the 89th percentile statewide at #1030 out of 9,566 California schools.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 73% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 70% meet or exceed standards in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction across all grade levels. Independent Elementary draws families from a well-established suburban community where the median household income reaches $117,808 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.5% and median home values of $935,700 indicate a stable, education-focused environment that supports student learning. The school operates within Castro Valley's large suburban setting, serving families who value educational achievement and community involvement in this thriving area of the East Bay.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Independent Elementary is 24.5:1, 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 Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.4%
Math vs. State Avg+24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.6 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,203

Independent Elementary — Students at Independent Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 69.0%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 72.5%
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
75%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2024
Math
70.5%
ELA
72.7%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Independent Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

PO Box 2146, Castro Valley, CA 94546

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independent Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Proctor Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marshall Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vannoy Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Castro Valley, see our Castro Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Canyon Middle Castro Valley 0.5 mi 5.8
Creekside Middle Castro Valley 0.5 mi 7.6
Vannoy Elementary Castro Valley 0.7 mi 7.4
MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT FIVE CANYONS Castro Valley 0.8 mi
Marshall Elementary Castro Valley 0.9 mi 7.8
Fairview Elementary Hayward 1.2 mi 5.2
REDWOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Castro Valley 1.3 mi 5.8
Jensen Ranch Elementary Castro Valley 1.5 mi 7.2
Palomares Elementary Castro Valley 1.4 mi 5.3
Castro Valley High Castro Valley 1.5 mi 6.6
East Avenue Elementary Hayward 1.9 mi 5.8
Proctor Elementary Castro Valley 1.7 mi 8.0
Castro Valley Elementary Castro Valley 1.7 mi 7.3
Hayward High Hayward 2.1 mi 5.9
OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Castro Valley 1.8 mi 6.4
Our Lady of Grace School Castro Valley 1.8 mi
THE MONTESSORI GIVING TREE Castro Valley 1.9 mi
All Saints Catholic School Hayward 2.3 mi
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hayward 2.3 mi 7.1
MISSION VALLEY SPECTRUM - MISSION Hayward 2.6 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,780

Median Home Value

$976,300

Median Rent

$2,506/mo

Population

45,848

College Educated

41.4%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independent Elementary has a median household income of $125,780. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $976,300, with a median rent of $2,506/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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. E. Arnold Elementary Cypress, CA 6.7
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA 6.7
Acacia Elementary Fullerton, CA 6.7
Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA 6.7
Agnes L. Smith Elementary Huntington Beach, CA 6.7
Anthony C. Traina Elementary Tracy, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independent Elementary

What grades does Independent Elementary serve?

Independent Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Independent Elementary?

Independent Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 661 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independent Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Independent Elementary is 24.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independent Elementary rank in CA?

Independent Elementary is ranked #3914 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Independent Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Independent Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Independent Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independent Elementary has 69.0% math proficiency and 72.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independent Elementary a charter school?

No, Independent Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independent Elementary a Title I school?

No, Independent Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independent Elementary?

27.8% of students at Independent 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

County Safety
Low (181/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Alameda County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Castro Valley Unified
District Enrollment
9,489
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,627
District Rank
#10 of 14

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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