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Very Good

#2108 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

Orion Alternative

Elementary School · Redwood City Elementary

555 Avenue Del Ora, Redwood City, CA 94063

Enrollment

461

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Redwood City

#6 of 34

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,467 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 12

Redwood City Elementary

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Orion Alternative

Orion Alternative serves 461 elementary students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Redwood City, offering an alternative educational approach with a 23:1 student-teacher ratio across 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned strong recognition, ranking in the 81st percentile statewide at #1792 out of 9,566 California elementary schools with a solid 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Orion Alternative demonstrates well-rounded performance with 54% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 51% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These scores reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education through its alternative educational model, earning an academic score of 7.7 out of 10. The school draws families from the surrounding 94063 area, where the median household income reaches $107,734 and home values average $1,094,000. The community shows a strong educational foundation, with 35% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining an 11.3% poverty rate among its 34,807 residents.

Located on Avenue Del Ora, Orion Alternative operates within Redwood City's small city environment, providing families in San Mateo County with an alternative elementary education option in a well-established, economically stable community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Orion Alternative is 23.1:1, 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.2%
Math vs. State Avg+5.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,417

Orion Alternative — Students at Orion Alternative score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.6%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 53.8%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
51.5%
ELA
53%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Orion Alternative Compares

See how Orion Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

555 Avenue Del Ora, Redwood City, CA 94063

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orion Alternative may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Henry Ford Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST PIUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Redwood City, see our Redwood City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Redwood City 0.4 mi 4.7
Redeemer Lutheran School Redwood City 0.4 mi
OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL Redwood City 0.5 mi 6.1
Roosevelt Elementary Redwood City 0.6 mi 3.2
McKinley Institute of Technology Redwood City 0.6 mi 3.8
North Star Academy Redwood City 0.6 mi 8.0
Rocketship Redwood City Redwood City 0.5 mi 2.3
KUBO MONTESSORI Redwood City 0.7 mi
WEINGARTEN CHILDRENS CENTER Redwood City 0.7 mi
Weingarten Children's Center Redwood City 0.7 mi
Sequoia High Redwood City 0.7 mi 7.4
John F. Kennedy Middle Redwood City 1.0 mi 7.5
CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER Redwood City 1.2 mi 6.9
WINGS LEARNING CENTER Redwood City 1.1 mi
Henry Ford Elementary Redwood City 1.3 mi 7.0
St. Pius Elementary Redwood City 1.2 mi
ST PIUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Redwood City 1.2 mi 6.1
Roy Cloud Elementary Redwood City 1.3 mi 5.5
White Oaks Elementary San Carlos 1.4 mi 5.4
Redwood High Redwood City 1.5 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94063 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$115,528

Median Home Value

$1,077,100

Median Rent

$2,802/mo

Population

34,695

College Educated

35.1%

Homeownership

31.5%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

33.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Orion Alternative has a median household income of $115,528. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,077,100, with a median rent of $2,802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. 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
A. M. Winn Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA 7.6
Ada S. Nelson Elementary Whittier, CA 7.6
Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA 7.6
Arlington Elementary Torrance, CA 7.6
Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA 7.6
Baldy View Elementary Upland, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orion Alternative

What grades does Orion Alternative serve?

Orion Alternative serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Orion Alternative?

Orion Alternative has an enrollment of approximately 461 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orion Alternative?

The student-teacher ratio at Orion Alternative is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orion Alternative rank in CA?

Orion Alternative is ranked #2108 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Orion Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?

Orion Alternative 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 Orion Alternative?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orion Alternative has 50.6% math proficiency and 53.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Orion Alternative a charter school?

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

Is Orion Alternative a Title I school?

No, Orion Alternative is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orion Alternative?

28.0% of students at Orion Alternative 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
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,120/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Redwood City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
San Mateo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Redwood City Elementary
District Enrollment
6,332
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,911
District Rank
#2 of 12

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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