Average
#4672 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 49% in state
Lu Sutton Elementary
Elementary School · Novato Unified
1800 Center Rd., Novato, CA 94947
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Novato
#7 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,880 of 5,817
In district
#7 of 14
Novato Unified
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Lu Sutton Elementary
Lu Sutton Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the heart of Novato, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 349 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Lu Sutton Elementary is 5.2 out of 10, placing it in the 46th percentile among California schools.
Academically, the school scores an overall score of 5.6/10, with 40% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 30% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for improvement in test performance, Lu Sutton Elementary focuses on nurturing a supportive learning environment that encourages student development. The school's setting within the larger suburban area of Novato offers a vibrant community atmosphere, where students can engage with their peers and teachers in a warm and welcoming environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Lu Sutton Elementary is 23.3:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Lu Sutton Elementary — Students at Lu Sutton Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.3/10.
How Lu Sutton Elementary Compares
See how Lu Sutton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 31.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 41.03% (2024).
Location
1800 Center Rd., Novato, CA 94947
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lu Sutton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. San Ramon Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rancho Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Loma Verde Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Novato, see our Novato schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Marin Oaks High Novato | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Nova Education Center Novato | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Sinaloa Middle Novato | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Rancho Elementary Novato | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Novato High Novato | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| San Ramon Elementary Novato | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| NORTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Novato | 1.4 mi | — |
| Marin Christian Academy North Campus Novato | 1.4 mi | — |
| San Marin High Novato | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Marin Christian Academy Main Campus Novato | 1.7 mi | — |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Novato | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Olive Elementary Novato | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Lynwood Elementary Novato | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| San Jose Middle Novato | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Novato | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Loma Verde Elementary Novato | 3.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Hamilton TK-8 Novato | 4.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Lucas Valley Elementary San Rafael | 5.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Novato Charter Novato | 4.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Mary E. Silveira Elementary San Rafael | 5.2 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94947 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,690
Median Home Value
$995,000
Median Rent
$2,526/mo
Population
24,360
College Educated
47.5%
Homeownership
69.6%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
47.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lu Sutton Elementary has a median household income of $126,690. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $995,000, with a median rent of $2,526/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNELIESE'S SCHOOLS Laguna Beach, CA | 6.4 |
| Academia Moderna Walnut Park, CA | 6.4 |
| Allen Avenue Elementary San Dimas, CA | 6.4 |
| Alta Elementary Reedley, CA | 6.4 |
| Anderson Elementary Compton, CA | 6.4 |
| Argonne Elementary San Francisco, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lu Sutton Elementary
What grades does Lu Sutton Elementary serve?
Lu Sutton Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Lu Sutton Elementary?
Lu Sutton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 349 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lu Sutton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Lu Sutton Elementary is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lu Sutton Elementary rank in CA?
Lu Sutton Elementary is ranked #4672 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Lu Sutton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Lu Sutton Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Lu Sutton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lu Sutton Elementary has 30.2% math proficiency and 40.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lu Sutton Elementary a charter school?
No, Lu Sutton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lu Sutton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Lu Sutton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lu Sutton Elementary?
55.6% of students at Lu Sutton 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 (1,645/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Novato). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 349
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Marin County
- Phone
- (415) 897-3196
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Novato Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,209
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,083
- District Rank
- #7 of 14
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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