Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.9%
Math vs. State Avg+15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,203

Palomares Elementary — Students at Palomares Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
60.8%
ELA
56.9%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
27th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Castro Valley Unified
District Enrollment
9,489
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,627
District Rank
#14 of 14

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.