Below Average
#7883 of 9,539 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
836
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,883 of 9,539
In San Jose
#181 of 223
public schools
In district
#30 of 41
San Jose Unified
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Merritt Trace Elementary
Elementary School in San Jose · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Abraham Lincoln High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Herbert Hoover Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Merritt Trace Elementary
Merritt Trace Elementary is a public elementary school in San Jose, CA, part of San Jose Unified. Merritt Trace Elementary serves approximately 836 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Merritt Trace Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #7,883 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Merritt Trace Elementary show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 5.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Merritt Trace Elementary runs 21.4:1 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.
36% of students at Merritt Trace 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
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 34 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: 3.8/10.
How Merritt Trace Elementary Compares
See how Merritt Trace Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores notably higher. Another option is Luther Burbank Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 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 | 6.5 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle San Jose | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary San Jose | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 9.2 |
| Sherman Oaks Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| 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 | 7.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cabrillo Elementary Upland, CA | 4.6 |
| Captain Raymond Collins Long Beach, CA | 4.6 |
| Carl E. Gilbert Elementary Buena Park, CA | 4.6 |
| Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary Colton, CA | 4.6 |
| Four Creeks Elementary Visalia, CA | 4.6 |
| Harriette Kirschen Elementary Modesto, CA | 4.6 |
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 ranks #7,883 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Merritt Trace Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Merritt Trace Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Merritt Trace Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merritt Trace Elementary has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.1%
- Phone
- (408) 535-6257
Resources & Links
District
San Jose Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,059
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,909
- District Rank
- #30 of 41
Other Schools in This District
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