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Average

#4263 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 45% in state

Independent Elementary

Elementary School · Castro Valley Unified

PO Box 2146, Castro Valley, CA 94546

Enrollment

661

Student-Teacher

24.5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,263 of 9,539

In Castro Valley

#11 of 14

public schools

In district

#11 of 14

Castro Valley Unified

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Independent Elementary

6.6/10

Elementary School in Castro Valley · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Canyon Middle

6.8/10

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

Creekside Middle

8.4/10

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

About Independent Elementary

Independent Elementary is a public elementary school in Castro Valley, CA, part of Castro Valley Unified. Independent Elementary serves approximately 661 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Independent Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #4,263 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Independent Elementary show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Independent Elementary runs 24.5:1 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 Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.6 pts
Overall Proficiency71% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,627
Chronic Absenteeism14.2%

Independent Elementary — Students at Independent Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

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 74.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 76.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
73%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
76%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
75%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
67.3%
ELA
75.5%
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: 5.7/10.

How Independent Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
5.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.2%

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 8.4/10, 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, Jensen Ranch Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 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 6.8
Creekside Middle Castro Valley 0.5 mi 8.4
Vannoy Elementary Castro Valley 0.7 mi 7.0
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 6.1
REDWOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Castro Valley 1.3 mi 5.8
Jensen Ranch Elementary Castro Valley 1.5 mi 7.6
Palomares Elementary Castro Valley 1.4 mi 5.2
Castro Valley High Castro Valley 1.5 mi 7.4
East Avenue Elementary Hayward 1.9 mi 6.5
Proctor Elementary Castro Valley 1.7 mi 8.4
Castro Valley Elementary Castro Valley 1.7 mi 7.6
Hayward High Hayward 2.1 mi 6.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Allen Avenue Elementary San Dimas, CA 6.6
Altadena Elementary Altadena, CA 6.6
Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA 6.6
Annie R. Mitchell Visalia, CA 6.6
Arroyo Seco Academy Greenfield, CA 6.6
Bancroft Elementary Walnut Creek, CA 6.6

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 ranks #4,263 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Independent Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Independent Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Independent Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independent Elementary has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
60 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.2%

District

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

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