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
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Independent Elementary — Students at Independent Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
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
→ 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: 6.6/10.
How Independent Elementary Compares
See how Independent Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 70.19% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 72.44% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (510) 537-9558
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Castro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,489
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,627
- District Rank
- #10 of 14
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.
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