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Very Good

#1596 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 17% in state

Oster Elementary

Elementary School · Union Elementary

1855 Lencar Way, San Jose, CA 95124

Enrollment

627

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Jose

#30 of 223

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,123 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 8

Union Elementary

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Oster Elementary

Oster Elementary serves 627 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in San Jose, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranking in the 94th percentile statewide, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement across all grade levels. The school's academic excellence is evident in its standardized test results, with 80% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics.

This strong performance reflects the dedication of 26 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 24.1 to 1, ensuring students receive quality instruction and support. Oster Elementary is located in the 95124 ZIP code area, a well-established neighborhood where families prioritize education and community engagement. The surrounding community features a median household income of $178,058 and a highly educated population, with 59% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The low poverty rate of 4.4% contributes to a stable learning environment that supports student success. The school operates in San Jose's dynamic urban environment, providing students with access to the educational and cultural opportunities that come with being part of California's third-largest city while maintaining the focused, community-centered atmosphere that makes elementary education effective.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Oster Elementary is 24.1:1, 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 Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.5%
Math vs. State Avg+34.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.8 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,413

Oster Elementary — Students at Oster Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 79.8%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.4%
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
78%
ELA
79%
2024
Math
80.2%
ELA
79.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How Oster Elementary Compares

See how Oster Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

1855 Lencar Way, San Jose, CA 95124

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Oster Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST FRANCES CABRINI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sartorette Charter (rated 7.8/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Steindorf STEAM K-8 Magnet (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL INC. LEIGH San Jose 0.1 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING ACADEMY San Jose 0.1 mi 4.4
CHALLENGER SCHOOL-HARWOOD San Jose 0.6 mi 6.9
STRATFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL San Jose 0.6 mi 5.7
Challenger - Harwood San Jose 0.7 mi
Steindorf STEAM K-8 Magnet San Jose 0.7 mi 7.5
Sartorette Charter San Jose 0.6 mi 7.8
LEARNING SPRINGS ACADEMY San Jose 0.9 mi
Learning Springs Academy San Jose 0.9 mi
Casa di Mir Montessori Elementary School San Jose 0.8 mi
Leigh High San Jose 0.9 mi 8.2
Stratford School Los Gatos Los Gatos 1.1 mi
Fammatre Elementary San Jose 1.1 mi 4.4
St. Frances Cabrini Elementary School San Jose 0.9 mi
ST FRANCES CABRINI CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Jose 0.9 mi 8.0
Price Charter Middle San Jose 1.2 mi 7.2
Noddin Elementary San Jose 1.3 mi 6.0
Union Middle San Jose 1.2 mi 7.7
LEARNING PATHWAYS KINDERGARTEN San Jose 1.1 mi 6.4
Learning Pathways Kindergarten San Jose 1.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$188,433

Median Home Value

$1,596,700

Median Rent

$2,936/mo

Population

51,991

College Educated

60.9%

Homeownership

72.1%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Oster Elementary has a median household income of $188,433. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,596,700, with a median rent of $2,936/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Ayer Elementary Fresno, CA 7.9
Birney Elementary Redondo Beach, CA 7.9
Boulder Creek Elementary Redding, CA 7.9
Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA 7.9
Carroll Elementary Elk Grove, CA 7.9
Carver (Charles J.) Elementary Cerritos, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Oster Elementary

What grades does Oster Elementary serve?

Oster Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Oster Elementary?

Oster Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 627 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Oster Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Oster Elementary is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Oster Elementary rank in CA?

Oster Elementary is ranked #1596 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Oster Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Oster Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Oster Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oster Elementary has 79.8% math proficiency and 79.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Oster Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Oster Elementary a Title I school?

No, Oster Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Oster Elementary?

9.7% of students at Oster Elementary 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
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,210/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
627
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
9.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Union Elementary
District Enrollment
5,371
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,087
District Rank
#1 of 8

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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