Below Average
#8232 of 9,539 schools in CA
Mar Vista Elementary
Elementary School · Pajaro Valley Unified
PO Box 100, Aptos, CA 95003
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,232 of 9,539
In Aptos
#6 of 6
public schools
In district
#23 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
School environment
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Mar Vista Elementary
Elementary School in Aptos · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Delta Charter
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Twin Lakes Christian School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mar Vista Elementary
Mar Vista Elementary is a public elementary school in Aptos, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Mar Vista Elementary serves approximately 311 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Mar Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #8,232 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Mar Vista Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Mar Vista Elementary runs 20.7:1 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.
41% of students at Mar Vista 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mar Vista Elementary — Students at Mar Vista Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 2.5/10.
How Mar Vista Elementary Compares
See how Mar Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 100, Aptos, CA 95003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mar Vista Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valencia Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Main Street Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aptos, see our Aptos schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Charter Aptos | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos | 0.7 mi | — |
| Seacliff Academy Aptos | 0.8 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel | 1.0 mi | — |
| Valencia Elementary Aptos | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 2.1 mi | — |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| ORCHARD SCHOOL Aptos | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Aptos Junior High Aptos | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Soquel High Soquel | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 2.5 mi | — |
| Rio del Mar Elementary Aptos | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 3.3 mi | — |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Aptos High Aptos | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy Aptos | 3.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,990
Median Home Value
$1,154,000
Median Rent
$2,548/mo
Population
24,708
College Educated
54.5%
Homeownership
72.2%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
48.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bidwell Elementary Red Bluff, CA | 4.3 |
| Bryant Elementary San Francisco, CA | 4.3 |
| Burbank Elementary San Diego, CA | 4.3 |
| Cabrillo Elementary Fremont, CA | 4.3 |
| Clifford D. Murray Elementary Azusa, CA | 4.3 |
| Condor Elementary Twentynine Palms, CA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mar Vista Elementary
What grades does Mar Vista Elementary serve?
Mar Vista Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Mar Vista Elementary?
Mar Vista Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Elementary is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mar Vista Elementary rank in CA?
Mar Vista Elementary ranks #8,232 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Mar Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mar Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Mar Vista Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mar Vista Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Mar Vista Elementary a charter school?
No, Mar Vista Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mar Vista Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mar Vista Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mar Vista Elementary?
58.5% of students at Mar Vista 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.5%
- Phone
- (831) 688-5211
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #23 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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