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Average

#4544 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 48% in state

Mountain Elementary

Elementary School · Mountain Elementary

3042 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel, CA 95073

Enrollment

163

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,544 of 9,539

In Soquel

#4 of 4

public schools

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Mountain Elementary

6.5/10

Elementary School in Soquel · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Merit Academy

Nearby

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

Tara Redwood School

Nearby

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

About Mountain Elementary

Mountain Elementary is a public elementary school in Soquel, CA, part of Mountain Elementary. Mountain Elementary serves approximately 163 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #4,544 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Mountain Elementary show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above CA schools
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 163 students, Mountain Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Mountain Elementary runs 20.4:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,738
Chronic Absenteeism1.8%

Mountain Elementary — Students at Mountain Elementary score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 67.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
58.8%
ELA
54.1%
2024
Math
64.5%
ELA
57.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Mountain Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
1.8%

Location

3042 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel, CA 95073

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Happy Valley Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Acres Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 7.4/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Soquel, see our Soquel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz 0.8 mi
Tara Redwood School Soquel 1.3 mi
Main Street Elementary Soquel 2.3 mi 7.2
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz 2.2 mi 5.4
Soquel High Soquel 2.5 mi 7.6
Soquel Elementary Soquel 2.8 mi 6.9
Happy Valley Elementary Santa Cruz 2.3 mi 8.4
Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel 2.9 mi
TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos 3.0 mi 5.1
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz 3.1 mi 7.1
New Brighton Middle Capitola 3.3 mi 6.2
Delta Charter Aptos 3.1 mi 5.8
Mar Vista Elementary Aptos 3.3 mi 4.3
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz 3.5 mi
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz 3.5 mi 7.4
Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz 3.6 mi 6.7
Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz 3.6 mi 8.1
Opal Cliffs Capitola 3.9 mi
De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz 3.5 mi 6.8
Harbor High Santa Cruz 3.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95073 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$113,929

Median Home Value

$1,012,000

Median Rent

$2,093/mo

Population

11,487

College Educated

45.1%

Homeownership

73.2%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

44.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CALVARY CHAPEL RIALTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rialto, CA 6.5
Cuddeback Elementary Carlotta, CA 6.5
DAVIS WALDORF SCHOOL Davis, CA 6.5
Danny J. Bakewell Sr. Primary Center Los Angeles, CA 6.5
FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF SILICON VALLEY Sunnyvale, CA 6.5
Gratton Charter Denair, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mountain Elementary

What grades does Mountain Elementary serve?

Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Mountain Elementary?

Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountain Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Elementary is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mountain Elementary rank in CA?

Mountain Elementary ranks #4,544 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Mountain Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mountain Elementary has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Mountain Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Mountain Elementary a Title I school?

No, Mountain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

20.9% of students at Mountain 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Cruz County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
1.8%

District

Mountain Elementary
District Enrollment
163
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,738
District Rank
#1 of 1

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