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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.3%
Math vs. State Avg+24.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.5 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,627

Madera Elementary — Students at Madera Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 69.7%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 71.6%
School
State
45.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
69%
ELA
76%
2024
Math
69.8%
ELA
70.7%

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.

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,579/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Cerrito). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Contra Costa Unified
District Enrollment
25,575
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,205
District Rank
#13 of 52

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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