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Very Good

#2918 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 31% in state

Based on limited data

Orcutt School for Independent Study

Elementary School · Orcutt Union Elementary

500 Dyer St., Orcutt, CA 93455

Enrollment

44

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Orcutt

#2 of 9

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,951 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 10

Orcutt Union Elementary

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Orcutt School for Independent Study

Orcutt School for Independent Study is a small alternative school nestled in the mid-size suburb of Orcutt, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school prides itself on its intimate learning environment with an enrollment of just 44 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. The campus sits at 500 Dyer Street, providing a serene setting for educational exploration.

Academically, Orcutt School for Independent Study focuses on nurturing individual growth rather than competing solely on standardized test scores. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #4217 out of 9566 schools in California (placing it in the 56th percentile), the school is working towards improving its academic standing. Test performance shows that 45% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 25% meet proficiency standards in math.

These scores indicate there's room for improvement and growth within the curriculum. Located in a supportive suburb, Orcutt School for Independent Study thrives in its community setting, offering a unique educational experience to each student.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 44 students, Orcutt School for Independent Study 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.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.1Above Average60%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Math vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent40%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,686

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: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.7%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

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
7.2/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

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. Joe Nightingale Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pine Grove Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bill Libbon Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), a more accessible option. 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 7.1
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 6.0
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria 0.9 mi 5.8
Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt 1.0 mi 6.6
Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria 1.1 mi 6.2
Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt 1.0 mi 5.1
Delta High Santa Maria 1.2 mi 5.2
Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt 1.5 mi 3.4
Orcutt Junior High Orcutt 1.6 mi 4.9
Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt 1.6 mi 7.1
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria 1.9 mi 5.0
Lakeview Junior High Orcutt 2.0 mi 5.0
Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt 2.3 mi 7.6
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria 2.6 mi 5.3
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 4.1 mi 5.7
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 4.4 mi 4.5
Trivium Charter Lompoc 4.4 mi 4.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Orcutt School for Independent Study has a median household income of $108,501. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $572,700, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Cressey Elementary Ballico, CA 7.2
Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Lake Hughes, CA 7.2
KIDS TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Vista, CA 7.2
MONTESSORI ON ELM Long Beach, CA 7.2
SCRIPPS MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Diego, CA 7.2
Irwin O. Addicott Fresno, 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 is ranked #2918 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

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

Orcutt School for Independent Study has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Orcutt School for Independent Study?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orcutt School for Independent Study has 24.7% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Average (281/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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