Average
#6990 of 9,533 schools in CA
Palomares Elementary
Elementary School · Castro Valley Unified
PO Box 2146, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Castro Valley
#14 of 14
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,137 of 5,817
In district
#14 of 14
Castro Valley Unified
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Palomares Elementary
Palomares Elementary serves 144 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Castro Valley, California. This regular public school operates with 6 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a 24:1 student-teacher ratio. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #2039 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 61% reaching proficiency or above in math and 57% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Palomares Elementary sits within Castro Valley's 94546 ZIP code, an area characterized by relative affluence and educational attainment. The surrounding community has a median household income of $117,808 and a median home value of $935,700, with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 7.5%. With its consistent academic results and supportive community demographics, Palomares Elementary provides a stable educational environment for elementary-aged students. The school is located in a large suburban setting within Alameda County, offering families access to the educational and recreational opportunities that Castro Valley's established residential community provides.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 144 students, Palomares Elementary 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Palomares Elementary is 24:1, 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
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Palomares Elementary — Students at Palomares Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.
How Palomares Elementary Compares
See how Palomares Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 60.81% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 56.94% (2024).
Location
PO Box 2146, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palomares Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stonebrae Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Hayward), which scores notably higher. Another option is Proctor Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marshall Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Castro Valley, see our Castro Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT FIVE CANYONS Castro Valley | 0.9 mi | — |
| Jensen Ranch Elementary Castro Valley | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Independent Elementary Castro Valley | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Canyon Middle Castro Valley | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Fairview Elementary Hayward | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Vannoy Elementary Castro Valley | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Creekside Middle Castro Valley | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| East Avenue Elementary Hayward | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Marshall Elementary Castro Valley | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Stonebrae Elementary Hayward | 2.9 mi | 8.8 |
| MISSION VALLEY SPECTRUM - MISSION Hayward | 2.9 mi | 7.6 |
| SPECTRUM CENTER, INC.-MISSION VALLEY CAMPUS Hayward | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Hayward High Hayward | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| REDWOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Castro Valley | 2.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Proctor Elementary Castro Valley | 3.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Castro Valley High Castro Valley | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| All Saints Catholic School Hayward | 3.2 mi | — |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hayward | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Castro Valley Elementary Castro Valley | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| THE MONTESSORI GIVING TREE Castro Valley | 3.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$125,780
Median Home Value
$976,300
Median Rent
$2,506/mo
Population
45,848
College Educated
41.4%
Homeownership
65.8%
Avg Commute
33.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palomares Elementary has a median household income of $125,780. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $976,300, with a median rent of $2,506/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Antelope Elementary Coleville, CA | 5.3 |
| Browns Elementary Rio Oso, CA | 5.3 |
| HUGHSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hughson, CA | 5.3 |
| Isleton Elementary Isleton, CA | 5.3 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FREMONT Fremont, CA | 5.3 |
| MORONGO SCHOOL Banning, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palomares Elementary
What grades does Palomares Elementary serve?
Palomares Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Palomares Elementary?
Palomares Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 144 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palomares Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Palomares Elementary is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palomares Elementary rank in CA?
Palomares Elementary is ranked #6990 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palomares Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Palomares Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Palomares Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palomares Elementary has 61.2% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palomares Elementary a charter school?
No, Palomares Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palomares Elementary a Title I school?
No, Palomares Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palomares Elementary?
41.0% of students at Palomares 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (181/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 144
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Alameda County
- Phone
- (510) 582-4207
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Castro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 9,489
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,627
- District Rank
- #14 of 14
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.
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