Average
#7249 of 9,533 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
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aptos
#4 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,287 of 5,817
In district
#18 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Mar Vista Elementary
Mar Vista Elementary is a public elementary school located in Aptos, California, serving kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 311 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, the school benefits from having 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a mid-size suburb, Mar Vista Elementary offers a close-knit community feel where students can receive personalized attention.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10 and it ranks at #5729 among California schools overall, placing it around the 40th percentile. Academically, Mar Vista Elementary scores an average of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's scale. In terms of proficiency in ELA/reading and math, about 35% of students meet or exceed standards across all grades, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development.
Mar Vista Elementary sits within a suburban setting in Aptos, providing its students with a comfortable blend of community support and educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Mar Vista Elementary is 20.7:1, 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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Mar Vista Elementary — Students at Mar Vista Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 12 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: 4.0/10.
How Mar Vista Elementary Compares
See how Mar Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 33.73% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 33.73% (2024).
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 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 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 | 6.1 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 2.1 mi | — |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ORCHARD SCHOOL Aptos | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Aptos Junior High Aptos | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Soquel High Soquel | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 2.5 mi | — |
| Rio del Mar Elementary Aptos | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 3.3 mi | 7.6 |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 3.3 mi | — |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Aptos High Aptos | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mar Vista Elementary has a median household income of $140,990. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,154,000, with a median rent of $2,548/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelanto Elementary Adelanto, CA | 5.2 |
| Albert Schweitzer Elementary Carmichael, CA | 5.2 |
| Anna M. Glazier Elementary Norwalk, CA | 5.2 |
| Ayers Elementary Concord, CA | 5.2 |
| Bryant Elementary Long Beach, CA | 5.2 |
| Carson Elementary San Diego, CA | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #7249 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Mar Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mar Vista Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Mar Vista Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mar Vista Elementary has 35.1% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (487/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (831) 688-5211
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #18 of 33
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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