Very Good
#2090 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 22% in state
Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · Mountain Elementary
3042 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel, CA 95073
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Soquel
#1 of 4
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,457 of 5,817
Equity
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Mountain Elementary
Mountain Elementary serves 163 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Soquel, a mid-size suburb in Santa Cruz County. With 8 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, providing a close-knit learning environment where educators can develop meaningful relationships with their students. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 89th percentile statewide at #1088 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 58% performing at or above grade level in English Language Arts and Reading, and an even stronger 64% meeting or exceeding standards in Mathematics. Mountain Elementary draws families from a well-educated community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the area's appeal to families, with a median household income of $112,068 and median home values of $964,200.
Despite the higher cost of living, the community maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.5%. Located on Old San Jose Road in Soquel, Mountain Elementary sits in a mid-size suburban setting that offers families the benefits of small-town charm while remaining connected to the broader Santa Cruz County community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 163 students, Mountain Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Elementary is 20.4:1, 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
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Mountain Elementary — Students at Mountain Elementary score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.9%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
How Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 63.38% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57.14% (2024).
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. Ocean Alternative Education Center (rated 8.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), which scores notably higher. Another option is Happy Valley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Cruz), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.6 |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Soquel High Soquel | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Santa Cruz | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 3.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Mar Vista Elementary Aptos | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| MIDTOWN MONTESSORI Santa Cruz | 3.5 mi | — |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz | 3.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz | 3.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Green Acres Elementary Santa Cruz | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 3.9 mi | — |
| De Laveaga Elementary Santa Cruz | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Harbor High Santa Cruz | 3.6 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mountain Elementary has a median household income of $113,929. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,012,000, with a median rent of $2,093/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspire College Academy Oakland, CA | 7.6 |
| CANYON HEIGHTS ACADEMY Campbell, CA | 7.6 |
| CASA DI MIR MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Campbell, CA | 7.6 |
| CHILDRENS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Van Nuys, CA | 7.6 |
| Cuyama Elementary New Cuyama, CA | 7.6 |
| GHS ACADEMY- GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL El Dorado Hills, CA | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #2090 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mountain Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Mountain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mountain Elementary has 64.0% math proficiency and 58.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (831) 475-6812
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mountain Elementary- District Enrollment
- 163
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,738
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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