Average
#5847 of 9,533 schools in CA
Merritt Trace Elementary
Elementary School · San Jose Unified
651 Dana Ave., San Jose, CA 95126
Enrollment
836
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
836
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Jose
#136 of 223
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,517 of 5,817
In district
#26 of 41
San Jose Unified
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Merritt Trace Elementary
Merritt Trace Elementary serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Jose's 95126 zip code. With an enrollment of 836 students and 39 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1. As a regular public school in California's large urban landscape, Merritt Trace is focused on providing educational opportunities to its diverse student population.
Academically, the school is working toward strengthening its performance. Currently, 37% of students are proficient or above in English language arts and reading across grade levels, while 28% meet proficiency benchmarks in mathematics. These scores indicate areas where the school is concentrating efforts on student growth and achievement.
Merritt Trace ranks in the 38th percentile statewide among California's schools and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. Located at 651 Dana Avenue, Merritt Trace Elementary is part of San Jose's public school system, serving families in this established urban community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Merritt Trace Elementary is 21.4:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Merritt Trace Elementary — Students at Merritt Trace Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
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.
* 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: 6.0/10.
How Merritt Trace Elementary Compares
See how Merritt Trace Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 29.64% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 34.73% (2024).
Location
651 Dana Ave., San Jose, CA 95126
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merritt Trace Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Washington Open Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores notably higher. Another option is Luther Burbank Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sherman Oaks Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln High Testville | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle San Jose | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary San Jose | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY San Jose | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Bellarmine College Preparatory San Jose | 0.9 mi | — |
| ST LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL San Jose | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| PACIFIC AUTISM CENTER FOR EDUCATION San Jose | 0.9 mi | — |
| Pacific Autism Center for Education - Sunny Days Campus San Jose | 0.9 mi | — |
| Esther B. Clark School - South Bay San Jose | 0.9 mi | — |
| ESTHER B CLARK SCHOOL - SOUTH BAY San Jose | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| RENAISSANCE LEARNER ACADEMY San Jose | 1.2 mi | — |
| RENAISSANCE LEARNER ACADEMY San Jose | 1.2 mi | — |
| Washington Open Elementary Santa Clara | 1.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Sherman Oaks Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| BASIS Independent Silicon Valley San Jose | 1.3 mi | — |
| BASIS INDEPENDENT SILICON VALLEY San Jose | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Buchser Middle Santa Clara | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ST CLARES SCHOOL Santa Clara | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Clare Elementary Santa Clara | 1.5 mi | — |
| Morgan Autism Center San Jose | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,297
Median Home Value
$1,195,700
Median Rent
$2,544/mo
Population
38,239
College Educated
54.8%
Homeownership
34.2%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
34.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merritt Trace Elementary has a median household income of $127,297. 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 $1,195,700, with a median rent of $2,544/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Alamosa Park Elementary Vista, CA | 5.9 |
| Alcott Elementary Riverside, CA | 5.9 |
| Alexander Hamilton Elementary Stockton, CA | 5.9 |
| Art Haycox Elementary Oxnard, CA | 5.9 |
| Arthur C. Butler Elementary Elk Grove, CA | 5.9 |
| Arthur Hapgood Elementary Lompoc, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merritt Trace Elementary
What grades does Merritt Trace Elementary serve?
Merritt Trace Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Merritt Trace Elementary?
Merritt Trace Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 836 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Trace Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Merritt Trace Elementary is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merritt Trace Elementary rank in CA?
Merritt Trace Elementary is ranked #5847 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Merritt Trace Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Merritt Trace Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Merritt Trace Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merritt Trace Elementary has 28.3% math proficiency and 36.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merritt Trace Elementary a charter school?
No, Merritt Trace Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merritt Trace Elementary a Title I school?
No, Merritt Trace Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merritt Trace Elementary?
52.9% of students at Merritt Trace 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
- City Safety
- High (3,210/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Jose). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 836
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 535-6257
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Jose Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,059
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,909
- District Rank
- #26 of 41
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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