Very Good
#2317 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 24% in state
Madera Elementary
Elementary School · West Contra Costa Unified
8500 Madera Dr., EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Cerrito
#3 of 7
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,590 of 5,817
In district
#13 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Madera Elementary
Madera Elementary serves 467 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in El Cerrito, earning recognition as one of California's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranking in the 90th percentile statewide, this public school demonstrates strong academic achievement across all grade levels. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 71% of students reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 70% meeting standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence and student success. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Madera Elementary maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.4 to 1. The school draws families from a well-educated community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $119,761.
This educated, engaged community provides strong support for student learning and school activities. The relatively low poverty rate of 8.9% in the surrounding area contributes to a stable learning environment. Madera Elementary sits in El Cerrito's large suburban setting in Contra Costa County, where tree-lined streets and established neighborhoods create an ideal environment for families prioritizing quality education and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Madera Elementary is 23.4:1, 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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Madera Elementary — Students at Madera Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.8%
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.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.
How Madera Elementary Compares
See how Madera Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 69% (2019) to 70% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 71.31% (2024).
Location
8500 Madera Dr., EL Cerrito, CA 94530
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Madera Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fairmont Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kensington Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Kensington), with a very similar rating. For more schools in EL Cerrito, see our EL Cerrito schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fred T. Korematsu Middle El Cerrito | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Prospect Sierra School El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | — |
| PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| MONTESSORI FAMILY SCHOOL El Cerrito | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| East Bay Montessori El Cerrito | 0.7 mi | — |
| Invictus Academy of Richmond El Cerrito | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Summit Public School K2 El Cerrito | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST El Cerrito | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| St. John the Baptist El Cerrito | 1.0 mi | — |
| ARLINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Richmond | 1.2 mi | — |
| Mira Vista Elementary Richmond | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| El Cerrito High El Cerrito | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Fairmont Elementary El Cerrito | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF KENSINGTON Kensington | 1.3 mi | — |
| Kensington Elementary Kensington | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| CRESTMONT SCHOOL Richmond | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Harding Elementary El Cerrito | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Golestan School El Cerrito | 1.8 mi | — |
| GOLESTAN SCHOOL El Cerrito | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Stege Elementary Richmond | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94530 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,731
Median Home Value
$1,097,300
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Population
26,229
College Educated
66.4%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Madera Elementary has a median household income of $127,731. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,097,300, with a median rent of $2,434/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Ada W. Harris Elementary Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA | 7.5 |
| Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion Atherton, CA | 7.5 |
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 7.5 |
| Angeles Mesa Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.5 |
| Angier Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.5 |
| Armona Elementary Armona, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Madera Elementary
What grades does Madera Elementary serve?
Madera Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Madera Elementary?
Madera Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Madera Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Madera Elementary is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Madera Elementary rank in CA?
Madera Elementary is ranked #2317 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Madera Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Madera Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Madera Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Madera Elementary has 69.7% math proficiency and 71.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Madera Elementary a charter school?
No, Madera Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Madera Elementary a Title I school?
No, Madera Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Madera Elementary?
15.8% of students at Madera 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (510) 231-1412
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #13 of 52
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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