Average
#3981 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 42% 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
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,981 of 9,539
In Redwood City
#12 of 34
public schools
In district
#6 of 12
Redwood City Elementary
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Orion Alternative
Elementary School in Redwood City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Redeemer Lutheran School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Our Lady of Mt Carmel School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Orion Alternative
Orion Alternative is a public elementary school in Redwood City, CA, part of Redwood City Elementary. Orion Alternative serves approximately 461 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Orion Alternative has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,981 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Orion Alternative show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Orion Alternative runs 23.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Orion Alternative — Students at Orion Alternative score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 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: 6.3/10.
How Orion Alternative Compares
See how Orion Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. White Oaks Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Carlos), which scores notably higher. Another option is Roy Cloud Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.4 |
| McKinley Institute of Technology Redwood City | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| North Star Academy Redwood City | 0.6 mi | 9.2 |
| 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 | 7.8 |
| John F. Kennedy Middle Redwood City | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| White Oaks Elementary San Carlos | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Redwood High Redwood City | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALL SOULS WORLD LANGUAGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alhambra, CA | 6.8 |
| Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula, CA | 6.8 |
| Adelante Dual Language Academy San Jose, CA | 6.8 |
| Andasol Avenue Elementary Northridge, CA | 6.8 |
| Barranca Elementary Covina, CA | 6.8 |
| Bijou Community South Lake Tahoe, CA | 6.8 |
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 ranks #3,981 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Orion Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?
Orion Alternative has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Orion Alternative?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Orion Alternative has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.6%
- Phone
- (650) 482-2412
Resources & Links
District
Redwood City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 6,332
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,911
- District Rank
- #6 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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