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
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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 10 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: 8.2/10.
How Orion Alternative Compares
See how Orion Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 51.28% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 53.21% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (650) 482-2412
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Redwood City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 6,332
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,911
- District Rank
- #2 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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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