Below Average
#7935 of 9,533 schools in CA
La Tercera Elementary
Elementary School · Old Adobe Union
1600 Albin Way, Petaluma, CA 94954
Enrollment
313
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
313
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Petaluma
#23 of 30
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,711 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 5
Old Adobe Union
About La Tercera Elementary
La Tercera Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the charming city of Petaluma, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 313 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 24.1:1. La Tercera offers a supportive learning environment with 13 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their pupils.
Academically, the school has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #6208 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 35th percentile. In reading and math proficiency tests, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 34% meet these standards in Math. Despite the challenges highlighted by its academic scores, La Tercera Elementary is committed to fostering a nurturing educational environment that supports all learners.
The school's location within Petaluma offers easy access to local amenities and community resources, making it an integral part of this small city’s vibrant neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at La Tercera Elementary is 24.1:1, 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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La Tercera Elementary — Students at La Tercera Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.5%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How La Tercera Elementary Compares
See how La Tercera Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32.24% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 40.11% (2024).
Location
1600 Albin Way, Petaluma, CA 94954
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Tercera Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Montessori Elementary Charter (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sonoma Mountain Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Petaluma, see our Petaluma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Miwok Valley Elementary Charter Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Casa Grande High Petaluma | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Sonoma Mountain High (Continuation) Petaluma | 0.6 mi | — |
| McDowell Elementary Petaluma | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Old Adobe Elementary Charter Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Loma Vista Immersion Academy Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Valley Oaks High (Alternative) Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| San Antonio High (Continuation) Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Live Oak Charter Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| HARVEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| McKinley Elementary Petaluma | 1.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| CYPRESS SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| River Montessori Elementary Charter Petaluma | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| CYPRESS PRIMARY SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Sonoma Mountain Elementary Petaluma | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Grant Elementary Petaluma | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| McNear Elementary Petaluma | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| South County Consortium Petaluma | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94954 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,564
Median Home Value
$790,100
Median Rent
$2,405/mo
Population
38,000
College Educated
36.9%
Homeownership
66.7%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Tercera Elementary has a median household income of $107,564. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $790,100, with a median rent of $2,405/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Astronaut Jose' M. Hernandez Academy Stockton, CA | 4.8 |
| Bryant Elementary Riverside, CA | 4.8 |
| Caroline Wenzel Elementary Sacramento, CA | 4.8 |
| Carriage Drive Elementary Citrus Heights, CA | 4.8 |
| Del Valle Elementary La Puente, CA | 4.8 |
| Guin Foss Elementary Tustin, CA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Tercera Elementary
What grades does La Tercera Elementary serve?
La Tercera Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend La Tercera Elementary?
La Tercera Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 313 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Tercera Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at La Tercera Elementary is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Tercera Elementary rank in CA?
La Tercera Elementary is ranked #7935 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is La Tercera Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
La Tercera Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 La Tercera Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Tercera Elementary has 33.7% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is La Tercera Elementary a charter school?
No, La Tercera Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Tercera Elementary a Title I school?
No, La Tercera Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Tercera Elementary?
33.5% of students at La Tercera 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,469/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Petaluma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 313
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sonoma County
- Phone
- (707) 765-4303
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Old Adobe Union- District Enrollment
- 1,830
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,683
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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