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Average

#5431 of 9,539 schools in CA

Mary Buren Elementary

Elementary School · Guadalupe Union Elementary

PO Box 788, Guadalupe, CA 93434

Enrollment

727

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,431 of 9,539

In Guadalupe

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Guadalupe Union Elementary

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Mary Buren Elementary

6.0/10

Elementary School in Guadalupe · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kermit Mckenzie Intermediate

6.9/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bonita Elementary

4.8/10

3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mary Buren Elementary

Mary Buren Elementary is a public elementary school in Guadalupe, CA, part of Guadalupe Union Elementary. Mary Buren Elementary serves approximately 727 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Mary Buren Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,431 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Mary Buren Elementary show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with CA schools
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Mary Buren Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Mary Buren Elementary runs 20.8:1 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.

34% of students at Mary Buren 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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-30.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,510
Chronic Absenteeism34.4%

Mary Buren Elementary — Students at Mary Buren Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 20.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
44.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
32%
ELA
26%
2010
Math
39%
ELA
29%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
30%
2012
Math
35%
ELA
28%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
8%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2022
Math
9.6%
ELA
20.2%
2024
Math
15%
ELA
17.6%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Mary Buren Elementary Compares

See how Mary Buren Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

Location

PO Box 788, Guadalupe, CA 93434

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mary Buren Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Guadalupe, see our Guadalupe schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Kermit McKenzie Intermediate Guadalupe 1.1 mi 6.9
Bonita Elementary Santa Maria 3.4 mi 4.8
Lange (Dorothea) Elementary Nipomo 4.3 mi 5.7
Dana Elementary Nipomo 5.6 mi 5.3
Pacific View Academy Arroyo Grande 6.7 mi 2.5
Lopez Continuation High Arroyo Grande 6.8 mi 6.0
Mesa Middle Arroyo Grande 7.4 mi 6.0
Nipomo High Nipomo 7.0 mi 6.1
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary Santa Maria 7.0 mi 7.5
Arellanes Junior High Santa Maria 7.0 mi 5.8
Central Coast New Tech High Nipomo 7.2 mi 8.5
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 6.5 mi 5.0
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 6.6 mi
Liberty Elementary Santa Maria 6.9 mi 5.1
Nipomo Elementary Nipomo 7.4 mi 4.3
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 6.8 mi 6.8
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria 6.8 mi 5.6
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 6.9 mi 6.3
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 7.1 mi 6.8
Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary Santa Maria 7.3 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93434 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,351

Median Home Value

$454,200

Median Rent

$1,674/mo

Population

8,451

College Educated

11.7%

Homeownership

56.9%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

28.2%

Median Age

28.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria, CA 6.0
Alpha Elementary Madera, CA 6.0
Art Freiler Tracy, CA 6.0
Bon View Elementary Ontario, CA 6.0
Bryn Mawr Elementary Loma Linda, CA 6.0
Cabrillo Elementary Pacifica, CA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mary Buren Elementary

What grades does Mary Buren Elementary serve?

Mary Buren Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Mary Buren Elementary?

Mary Buren Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 727 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Buren Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Mary Buren Elementary is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mary Buren Elementary rank in CA?

Mary Buren Elementary ranks #5,431 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Mary Buren Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mary Buren Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Mary Buren Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mary Buren Elementary has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Mary Buren Elementary a charter school?

No, Mary Buren Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mary Buren Elementary a Title I school?

No, Mary Buren Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mary Buren Elementary?

90.6% of students at Mary Buren 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
727
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Santa Barbara County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

District

Guadalupe Union Elementary
District Enrollment
1,306
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,510
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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