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Very Good

#2965 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 31% in state

Orcutt School for Independent Study

Elementary School · Orcutt Union Elementary

500 Dyer St., Orcutt, CA 93455

Enrollment

44

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,965 of 9,539

In Orcutt

#2 of 9

public schools

In district

#2 of 10

Orcutt Union Elementary

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Orcutt School for Independent Study

7.3/10

Elementary School in Orcutt · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ralph Dunlap Elementary

3.2/10

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

Family Partnership Charter

8.8/10

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

About Orcutt School for Independent Study

Orcutt School for Independent Study is a public elementary school in Orcutt, CA, part of Orcutt Union Elementary. Orcutt School for Independent Study serves approximately 44 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Orcutt School for Independent Study has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,965 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Orcutt School for Independent Study show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.9
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 44 students, Orcutt School for Independent Study 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.

96% of students at Orcutt School for Independent Study 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 metrics
Student Progress10.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.95 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,143
Chronic Absenteeism95.5%

Orcutt School for Independent Study — Students at Orcutt School for Independent Study score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.8% (multi-year average, 2022-2024)
School
State
33.7% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 42.3% (multi-year average, 2022-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2022
Math
25%
ELA
33.2%
2024
Math
24.7%
ELA
45.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.

How Orcutt School for Independent Study Compares

See how Orcutt School for Independent Study performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
10.0/10
Excellent
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
95.5%

Location

500 Dyer St., Orcutt, CA 93455

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orcutt School for Independent Study may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bill Libbon Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pine Grove Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Joe Nightingale Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Orcutt, see our Orcutt schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Ralph Dunlap Elementary Orcutt 0.0 mi 3.2
Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria 0.3 mi 8.8
St. Louis de Montfort Elementary Santa Maria 0.4 mi
ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT Santa Maria 0.4 mi 5.6
Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria Santa Maria 0.5 mi 6.9
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria 0.9 mi 5.8
Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt 1.0 mi 7.5
Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria 1.1 mi 6.3
Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt 1.0 mi 6.5
Delta High Santa Maria 1.2 mi 5.9
Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt 1.5 mi 4.9
Orcutt Junior High Orcutt 1.6 mi 5.2
Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt 1.6 mi 6.7
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria 1.9 mi 5.0
Lakeview Junior High Orcutt 2.0 mi 5.9
Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt 2.3 mi 6.8
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria 2.6 mi 5.3
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 4.1 mi 7.7
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 4.4 mi 5.1
Trivium Charter Lompoc 4.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93455 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,501

Median Home Value

$572,700

Median Rent

$2,267/mo

Population

44,350

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

77.8%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Casterlin Elementary Blocksburg, CA 7.3
Hornbrook Elementary Hornbrook, CA 7.3
MONTESSORI FAR HORIZONS Orange, CA 7.3
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO San Diego, CA 7.3
Oak Run Elementary Oak Run, CA 7.3
West Sonoma County Consortium Sebastopol, CA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orcutt School for Independent Study

What grades does Orcutt School for Independent Study serve?

Orcutt School for Independent Study serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Orcutt School for Independent Study?

Orcutt School for Independent Study has an enrollment of approximately 44 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orcutt School for Independent Study?

The student-teacher ratio at Orcutt School for Independent Study is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orcutt School for Independent Study rank in CA?

Orcutt School for Independent Study ranks #2,965 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Orcutt School for Independent Study's MySchoolScout rating?

Orcutt School for Independent Study has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Orcutt School for Independent Study?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orcutt School for Independent Study has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).

Is Orcutt School for Independent Study a charter school?

No, Orcutt School for Independent Study is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Orcutt School for Independent Study a Title I school?

No, Orcutt School for Independent Study is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orcutt School for Independent Study?

56.8% of students at Orcutt School for Independent Study 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Barbara County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
95.5%

District

Orcutt Union Elementary
District Enrollment
4,764
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,143
District Rank
#2 of 10

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