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Very Good

#2523 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 26% in state

Live Oak Elementary

Elementary School · Live Oak Elementary

1916 Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Enrollment

362

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,523 of 9,539

In Santa Cruz

#6 of 25

public schools

In district

#3 of 6

Live Oak Elementary

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Live Oak Elementary

7.5/10

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

The Bay School

7.4/10

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

Tierra Pacifica Charter

6.7/10

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

About Live Oak Elementary

Live Oak Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Cruz, CA, part of Live Oak Elementary. Live Oak Elementary serves approximately 362 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Live Oak Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,523 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Live Oak Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Live Oak Elementary runs 22.6:1 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.

40% of students at Live Oak Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,863
Chronic Absenteeism40.3%

Live Oak Elementary — Students at Live Oak Elementary score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 49.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
40.9%
ELA
51.2%
2024
Math
35%
ELA
41.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How Live Oak Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
74th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.3%

Location

1916 Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Live Oak Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
THE BAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.4 mi 7.4
Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz 0.6 mi 6.7
Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz 0.6 mi 7.6
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz 0.6 mi 7.4
Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz 0.6 mi 8.1
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz 0.7 mi
Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz 0.7 mi 6.7
VHM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.7 mi 6.1
VHM Christian School Santa Cruz 0.7 mi
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz 0.8 mi 7.1
Harbor High Santa Cruz 1.0 mi 6.9
De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 6.8
Opal Cliffs Capitola 1.3 mi
SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz 1.3 mi 4.5
Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz 1.3 mi
Gault Elementary Santa Cruz 1.5 mi 6.0
Soquel Elementary Soquel 1.5 mi 6.9
Soquel High Soquel 1.6 mi 7.6
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz 2.0 mi 5.4
Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz 1.6 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,261

Median Home Value

$1,064,600

Median Rent

$2,291/mo

Population

36,047

College Educated

50.7%

Homeownership

53.6%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

42.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Costa Mesa, CA 7.5
Alcott Elementary San Diego, CA 7.5
Antelope Creek Elementary Rocklin, CA 7.5
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria, CA 7.5
Aspen Elementary Thousand Oaks, CA 7.5
Bella Vista Elementary Bella Vista, CA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Live Oak Elementary

What grades does Live Oak Elementary serve?

Live Oak Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Live Oak Elementary?

Live Oak Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Live Oak Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Live Oak Elementary is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Live Oak Elementary rank in CA?

Live Oak Elementary ranks #2,523 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Live Oak Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Live Oak Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Live Oak Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Live Oak Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Live Oak Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Live Oak Elementary a Title I school?

No, Live Oak Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

66.3% of students at Live Oak 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
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
95 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Cruz County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.3%

District

Live Oak Elementary
District Enrollment
1,675
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,863
District Rank
#3 of 6

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