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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.7%
Math vs. State Avg+8.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,686

Joe Nightingale Elementary — Students at Joe Nightingale Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 52.3%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 14 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
52%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
54.5%
ELA
57%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
County Safety
Average (281/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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