Below Average
#8067 of 9,533 schools in CA
Pearl Zanker Elementary
Elementary School · Milpitas Unified
1585 Fallen Leaf Dr., Milpitas, CA 95035
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
26.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
26.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Milpitas
#15 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,784 of 5,817
In district
#15 of 15
Milpitas Unified
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Pearl Zanker Elementary
Pearl Zanker Elementary is a regular public school located in Milpitas, California, right in the heart of Santa Clara County. With an enrollment of 578 students and a student-teacher ratio of 26.3:1, Pearl Zanker offers a supportive learning environment where each child receives individual attention. The school covers kindergarten through sixth grade and has 22 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to their students' education.
Academically, Pearl Zanker Elementary ranks in the top 58th percentile of schools across California with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 8.0 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, 61% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading, while 54% meet the standards in Math. These scores indicate a strong foundation with room for growth and development.
Pearl Zanker Elementary is situated in a small city setting within Milpitas, providing a close-knit community atmosphere where parents can easily connect with teachers and staff. The school's location fosters a sense of belonging among students, making it a nurturing place to grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Pearl Zanker Elementary is 26.3:1, 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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Pearl Zanker Elementary — Students at Pearl Zanker Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.1%
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.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.
How Pearl Zanker Elementary Compares
See how Pearl Zanker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 52.23% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 58.71% (2024).
Location
1585 Fallen Leaf Dr., Milpitas, CA 95035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pearl Zanker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Abram Agnew Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Jose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mabel Mattos Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Robert Randall World Languages (rated 6.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milpitas, see our Milpitas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mabel Mattos Elementary Milpitas | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Stratford Preparatory Milpitas Milpitas | 0.7 mi | — |
| Stratford Milpitas Great Mall Milpitas | 0.7 mi | — |
| LIFE CONNECTIONS CHILDRENS LEARNING CENTER Milpitas | 0.9 mi | — |
| Stratford Milpitas Corning Milpitas | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milpitas | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Orchard Elementary San Jose | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| LITTLE FLOWERS MONTESSORI Milpitas | 1.4 mi | — |
| Northwood Elementary San Jose | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Anthony Spangler Elementary Milpitas | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Santa Clara County Community San Jose | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Santa Clara County Court San Jose | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Santa Clara County Special Education San Jose | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Opportunity Youth Academy San Jose | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Brooktree Elementary San Jose | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Kathleen MacDonald High San Jose | 1.5 mi | — |
| Dolores Huerta Middle San Jose | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Stratford Milpitas Beresford Square Milpitas | 2.0 mi | — |
| Robert Randall World Languages Milpitas | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$176,723
Median Home Value
$1,180,700
Median Rent
$3,110/mo
Population
78,479
College Educated
58.6%
Homeownership
59.3%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pearl Zanker Elementary has a median household income of $176,723. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,180,700, with a median rent of $3,110/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Arthur E. Mills Intermediate Firebaugh, CA | 4.7 |
| Barton Elementary Long Beach, CA | 4.7 |
| Bidwell Elementary Red Bluff, CA | 4.7 |
| Binkley Elementary Charter Santa Rosa, CA | 4.7 |
| Blandford Elementary Rowland Heights, CA | 4.7 |
| Bridges @ Melrose Academy Elementary Oakland, CA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pearl Zanker Elementary
What grades does Pearl Zanker Elementary serve?
Pearl Zanker Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Pearl Zanker Elementary?
Pearl Zanker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 578 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pearl Zanker Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pearl Zanker Elementary is 26.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pearl Zanker Elementary rank in CA?
Pearl Zanker Elementary is ranked #8067 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pearl Zanker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pearl Zanker Elementary has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Pearl Zanker Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pearl Zanker Elementary has 54.1% math proficiency and 60.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pearl Zanker Elementary a charter school?
No, Pearl Zanker Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pearl Zanker Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pearl Zanker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pearl Zanker Elementary?
40.1% of students at Pearl Zanker 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
- City Safety
- High (3,509/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milpitas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 578
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 635-2882
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Milpitas Unified- District Enrollment
- 10,199
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,894
- District Rank
- #15 of 15
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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