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Very Good

#2133 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

Rachel Carson Elementary

Elementary School · San Jose Unified

4245 Meg Dr., San Jose, CA 95136

Enrollment

196

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Jose

#47 of 223

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,482 of 5,817

In district

#10 of 41

San Jose Unified

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Rachel Carson Elementary

Rachel Carson Elementary is a regular public school located in San Jose, California, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 196 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. Rachel Carson Elementary has twelve full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering a nurturing learning environment.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.7 out of 10, placing it in the 70th percentile among all California schools. Academically, students at Rachel Carson Elementary score an average of 40% proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while 34% are proficient or above in Math. These scores suggest there is room for academic growth, but the school remains dedicated to supporting its students' development.

Rachel Carson Elementary is situated in a large city setting, offering access to urban resources and community activities that complement the learning experience. The school's location allows students to engage with diverse cultural offerings and educational opportunities beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 196 students, Rachel Carson 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,179

Rachel Carson Elementary — Students at Rachel Carson Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.4%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 39.8%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 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
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
38.2%
ELA
38.6%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Rachel Carson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

4245 Meg Dr., San Jose, CA 95136

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rachel Carson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Del Roble Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Canoas Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Parkview Elementary San Jose 0.5 mi 2.9
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL San Jose 0.7 mi 6.2
Gunderson High San Jose 0.8 mi 8.2
Liberty Alternative San Jose 0.8 mi 2.8
Terrell Elementary San Jose 0.8 mi 5.3
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Jose 0.9 mi 6.0
One World Montessori School San Jose 0.9 mi
Pacific Feats San Jose 1.5 mi
Cambrian Academy San Jose 1.3 mi
Del Roble Elementary San Jose 1.4 mi 7.7
Allen at Steinbeck San Jose 1.6 mi 4.9
Captain Jason M. Dahl Elementary San Jose 1.5 mi 4.5
SPECTRUM CENTER-SAN JOSE San Jose 1.5 mi 7.8
Spectrum Center Schools and Programs San Jose 1.5 mi
ACTION DAY PRIMARY PLUS ALLEN SCHOOL San Jose 1.8 mi 2.5
Action Day Schools - Allen San Jose 1.8 mi
Canoas Elementary San Jose 1.6 mi 6.2
Broadway High San Jose 1.5 mi 6.5
ONE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Jose 1.5 mi
KIPP Heritage Academy San Jose 1.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95136 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$143,696

Median Home Value

$1,104,300

Median Rent

$2,750/mo

Population

47,157

College Educated

46.5%

Homeownership

58.7%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

36.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rachel Carson Elementary has a median household income of $143,696. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,104,300, with a median rent of $2,750/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Aspire College Academy Oakland, CA 7.6
CANYON HEIGHTS ACADEMY Campbell, CA 7.6
CASA DI MIR MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Campbell, CA 7.6
Center for Advanced Learning Los Angeles, CA 7.6
GHS ACADEMY- GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL El Dorado Hills, CA 7.6
Glenfeliz Boulevard Elementary Los Angeles, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rachel Carson Elementary

What grades does Rachel Carson Elementary serve?

Rachel Carson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Rachel Carson Elementary?

Rachel Carson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 196 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rachel Carson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rachel Carson Elementary is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rachel Carson Elementary rank in CA?

Rachel Carson Elementary is ranked #2133 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Rachel Carson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rachel Carson Elementary 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 Rachel Carson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rachel Carson Elementary has 34.4% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rachel Carson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Rachel Carson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rachel Carson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

44.4% of students at Rachel Carson 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
39 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 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
196
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Jose Unified
District Enrollment
25,059
Schools in District
41
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,909
District Rank
#10 of 41

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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