Below Average
#8580 of 9,533 schools in CA
Live Oak Elementary
Elementary School · Live Oak Elementary
1916 Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Cruz
#21 of 25
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,104 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 6
Live Oak Elementary
About Live Oak Elementary
Live Oak Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the mid-size suburb of Santa Cruz, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, this elementary school welcomes 362 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from its 16 full-time equivalent teachers. While Live Oak Elementary's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.7 out of 10 and ranks 5848th in the state of California (39th percentile), it focuses on nurturing student development with room for academic growth.
Test scores reveal that 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 38% achieve proficiency in math, indicating areas where additional support could benefit the school community. Live Oak Elementary is situated in a supportive neighborhood within Santa Cruz County, offering a warm and inviting setting for young learners to thrive.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Live Oak Elementary is 22.6:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Live Oak Elementary — Students at Live Oak Elementary score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 1.9/10.
How Live Oak Elementary Compares
See how Live Oak Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35.85% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 41.67% (2024).
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. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 3.9 |
| Shoreline Middle Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 0.7 mi | — |
| Del Mar Elementary Santa Cruz | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Soquel High Soquel | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Live Oak Elementary has a median household income of $108,261. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,064,600, with a median rent of $2,291/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Alta Loma Elementary Alta Loma, CA | 4.3 |
| Calpella Elementary Ukiah, CA | 4.3 |
| Creative Arts Charter San Francisco, CA | 4.3 |
| Crestview Elementary Lompoc, CA | 4.3 |
| Dana Gray Elementary Fort Bragg, CA | 4.3 |
| Earl Warren Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #8580 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Live Oak Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Live Oak Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Live Oak Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Live Oak Elementary has 38.4% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Cruz). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (831) 475-2000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Live Oak Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,675
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,863
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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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