Average
#7349 of 9,533 schools in CA
Novato Charter
Elementary School · Novato Charter District
940 C St., Novato, CA 94949
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher
26.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher
26.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Novato
#15 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,343 of 5,817
About Novato Charter
Novato Charter is a charter school located in Novato, California, within Marin County. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 266 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 26.6:1 and ten full-time equivalent teachers, the learning environment at Novato Charter provides a balance between individual attention and community engagement.
The academic performance at Novato Charter reflects areas where there is room for growth; with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranking 3674th out of 9566 schools in California, the school focuses on continuous improvement. In terms of proficiency rates, 62% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 48% demonstrate proficiency or above in math. Novato Charter is situated in a large suburban area within Novato, providing a familiar and supportive setting for its diverse student body.
The school community thrives on collaboration and support from both educators and families to foster an inclusive learning environment that encourages growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Novato Charter is 26.6:1, 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.
Novato Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Novato Charter — Students at Novato Charter score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 5.6/10.
How Novato Charter Compares
See how Novato Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47.17% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 59.75% (2024).
Location
940 C St., Novato, CA 94949
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Novato Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Loma Verde Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lynwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MARIN WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby San Rafael), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Novato, see our Novato schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton TK-8 Novato | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Loma Verde Elementary Novato | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Winston Preparatory School San Rafael | 1.6 mi | — |
| GATE Academy San Rafael | 1.7 mi | — |
| Mary E. Silveira Elementary San Rafael | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Miller Creek Middle San Rafael | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| STAR ACADEMY San Rafael | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| FUSION ACADEMY MARIN San Rafael | 2.6 mi | — |
| Fusion Academy Marin San Rafael | 2.6 mi | — |
| GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Novato | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| BOOST of Cypress School San Rafael | 2.8 mi | — |
| MARIN WALDORF SCHOOL San Rafael | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Marin Waldorf School San Rafael | 2.7 mi | — |
| Lynwood Elementary Novato | 3.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Phoenix Academy San Rafael | 3.2 mi | — |
| Marin County Special Education San Rafael | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Marin's Community San Rafael | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| San Jose Middle Novato | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Marin County Juvenile Court San Rafael | 3.0 mi | — |
| Marin Christian Academy Main Campus Novato | 3.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$116,101
Median Home Value
$1,075,600
Median Rent
$2,596/mo
Population
18,357
College Educated
47.6%
Homeownership
62.4%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Median Age
47.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Novato Charter has a median household income of $116,101. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,075,600, with a median rent of $2,596/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Arcata Elementary Arcata, CA | 5.1 |
| Belle Haven Elementary Menlo Park, CA | 5.1 |
| Brook Hill Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 5.1 |
| Charles Peck Elementary Carmichael, CA | 5.1 |
| Community School for Creative Education Oakland, CA | 5.1 |
| DOLORES MISSION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Novato Charter
What grades does Novato Charter serve?
Novato Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Novato Charter?
Novato Charter has an enrollment of approximately 266 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Novato Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Novato Charter is 26.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Novato Charter rank in CA?
Novato Charter is ranked #7349 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Novato Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Novato Charter has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Novato Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Novato Charter has 48.4% math proficiency and 61.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Novato Charter a charter school?
Yes, Novato Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Novato Charter a Title I school?
No, Novato Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Novato Charter?
13.9% of students at Novato Charter 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 (1,645/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Novato). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 266
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Marin County
- Phone
- (415) 883-4254
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Novato Charter District- District Enrollment
- 266
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,135
- 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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