Very Good
#2101 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 22% in state
Joe Nightingale Elementary
Elementary School · Orcutt Union Elementary
500 Dyer St., Orcutt, CA 93455
Enrollment
684
Student-Teacher
27.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
684
Student-Teacher
27.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orcutt
#1 of 9
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,464 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 10
Orcutt Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Joe Nightingale Elementary
Joe Nightingale Elementary serves 684 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Orcutt, California. This public elementary school operates with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 27.4:1. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #1942 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show steady achievement across core subjects, with 52% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 50% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. The school's academic score of 8.1 out of 10 reflects this consistent performance across grade levels. Joe Nightingale Elementary draws families from an established community where the median household income reaches $105,838 and home values average $529,600.
The surrounding area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.2%, with 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Dyer Street, the school serves families in this mid-size suburban setting within Santa Barbara County, where nearly 44,200 residents enjoy the blend of small-town character and access to broader regional amenities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Joe Nightingale Elementary is 27.4:1, 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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Joe Nightingale Elementary — Students at Joe Nightingale Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
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: 9.2/10.
How Joe Nightingale Elementary Compares
See how Joe Nightingale Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 54.43% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 56% (2019) to 56.66% (2024).
Location
500 Dyer St., Orcutt, CA 93455
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joe Nightingale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orcutt School for Independent Study (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Bill Libbon Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), a more accessible option. Additionally, Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), a more accessible option. For more schools in Orcutt, see our Orcutt schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeview Junior High Orcutt | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Delta High Santa Maria | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Trivium Charter Lompoc | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Ralph Dunlap Elementary Orcutt | 2.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Orcutt School for Independent Study Orcutt | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Liberty Elementary Santa Maria | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Orcutt Junior High Orcutt | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria Santa Maria | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.6 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93455 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,501
Median Home Value
$572,700
Median Rent
$2,267/mo
Population
44,350
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
77.8%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joe Nightingale Elementary has a median household income of $108,501. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $572,700, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA | 7.6 |
| Arlington Elementary Torrance, CA | 7.6 |
| Baldy View Elementary Upland, CA | 7.6 |
| Barnard Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.6 |
| Breen Elementary Rocklin, CA | 7.6 |
| Brightwood Elementary Monterey Park, CA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joe Nightingale Elementary
What grades does Joe Nightingale Elementary serve?
Joe Nightingale Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Joe Nightingale Elementary?
Joe Nightingale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 684 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joe Nightingale Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Joe Nightingale Elementary is 27.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joe Nightingale Elementary rank in CA?
Joe Nightingale Elementary is ranked #2101 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Joe Nightingale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Joe Nightingale Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Joe Nightingale Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joe Nightingale Elementary has 50.0% math proficiency and 52.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Joe Nightingale Elementary a charter school?
No, Joe Nightingale Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joe Nightingale Elementary a Title I school?
No, Joe Nightingale Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joe Nightingale Elementary?
52.9% of students at Joe Nightingale 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 684
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 938-8650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Orcutt Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,764
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,143
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
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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