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Average

#7545 of 9,533 schools in CA

Liberty Elementary

Elementary School · Santa Maria-Bonita

1300 West Sonya Ln., Santa Maria, CA 93458

Enrollment

873

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Maria

#19 of 30

public schools

California elementary schools

#4,471 of 5,817

In district

#11 of 21

Santa Maria-Bonita

School environment

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Liberty Elementary

Liberty Elementary serves 873 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in Santa Maria, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.3 to 1 across its 43 full-time equivalent teaching staff. The school currently ranks in the 13th percentile statewide, with 17% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 14% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics, indicating significant room for academic growth. Located on West Sonya Lane, Liberty Elementary operates as a regular public school in Santa Barbara County's mid-size city environment.

The school serves a community where the median household income is $75,519 and median home values reach $421,800, though educational attainment levels remain modest with 9% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 16.1% among its nearly 60,000 residents. Despite current academic performance metrics, Liberty Elementary continues its mission to support student development in this diverse community setting.

The school's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger elementary institutions in the area, serving families throughout this established Santa Maria neighborhood where students and educators work together in a mid-size city environment.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Liberty Elementary is 20.3:1, 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 Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.5%
Math vs. State Avg-32 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.3 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,410

Liberty Elementary — Students at Liberty Elementary score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.3%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 18.5%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2024
Math
13.8%
ELA
16.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.

How Liberty Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in CA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

1300 West Sonya Ln., Santa Maria, CA 93458

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Liberty Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Joe Nightingale Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Orcutt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria 0.4 mi 5.6
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 1.0 mi 5.6
Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria 1.0 mi 4.5
Santa Maria High Santa Maria 1.4 mi 5.5
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 1.9 mi 5.3
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 1.6 mi 4.5
Miller (Isaac) Elementary Santa Maria 1.7 mi 5.7
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 2.0 mi
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 1.9 mi 5.7
Trivium Charter Lompoc 1.9 mi 4.9
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 2.3 mi
Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria 2.4 mi 5.8
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 2.4 mi 4.9
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria 2.2 mi 5.3
Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt 2.4 mi 7.6
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 2.7 mi 6.5
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 2.6 mi 4.0
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria 2.7 mi 7.7
Arellanes Junior High Santa Maria 2.7 mi 4.5
Lakeview Junior High Orcutt 2.8 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93458 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,518

Median Home Value

$460,300

Median Rent

$1,825/mo

Population

59,126

College Educated

9.2%

Homeownership

43.5%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

27.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Liberty Elementary has a median household income of $73,518. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $460,300, with a median rent of $1,825/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. 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
Akira Yokomi Elementary Fresno, CA 5.0
Alisal Community Salinas, CA 5.0
Avenal Elementary Avenal, CA 5.0
Barranca Elementary Covina, CA 5.0
Buena Vista Elementary Lompoc, CA 5.0
Burbank Elementary Hayward, CA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Liberty Elementary

What grades does Liberty Elementary serve?

Liberty Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Liberty Elementary?

Liberty Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 873 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Liberty Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Liberty Elementary is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Liberty Elementary rank in CA?

Liberty Elementary is ranked #7545 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Liberty Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Liberty Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Liberty Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Liberty Elementary has 14.3% math proficiency and 18.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Liberty Elementary a charter school?

No, Liberty Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Liberty Elementary a Title I school?

No, Liberty Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Liberty Elementary?

90.1% of students at Liberty 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

City Safety
High (2,611/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Maria). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
873
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Maria-Bonita
District Enrollment
17,165
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,207
District Rank
#11 of 21

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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