Below Average
#8005 of 9,539 schools in CA
Rachel Carson Elementary
Elementary School · San Jose Unified
4245 Meg Dr., San Jose, CA 95136
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,005 of 9,539
In San Jose
#183 of 223
public schools
In district
#31 of 41
San Jose Unified
School environment
9.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Rachel Carson Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Rachel Carson Elementary
Elementary School in San Jose · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Parkview Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Holy Family School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rachel Carson Elementary
Rachel Carson Elementary is a public elementary school in San Jose, CA, part of San Jose Unified. Rachel Carson Elementary serves approximately 196 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Rachel Carson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #8,005 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Rachel Carson Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 196 students, Rachel Carson Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
33% of students at Rachel Carson Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rachel Carson Elementary — Students at Rachel Carson Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 1.9/10.
How Rachel Carson Elementary Compares
See how Rachel Carson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Canoas Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 4.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL San Jose | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Gunderson High San Jose | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Liberty Alternative San Jose | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Terrell Elementary San Jose | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| Allen at Steinbeck San Jose | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Captain Jason M. Dahl Elementary San Jose | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| 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 | 4.7 |
| ONE WORLD MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Jose | 1.5 mi | — |
| KIPP Heritage Academy San Jose | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bandini Elementary City Of Commerce, CA | 4.5 |
| Children's Community Charter Paradise, CA | 4.5 |
| Empower Language Academy San Diego, CA | 4.5 |
| Guerneville Elementary (Charter) Guerneville, CA | 4.5 |
| Hudson Long Beach, CA | 4.5 |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Chico, CA | 4.5 |
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 ranks #8,005 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Rachel Carson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rachel Carson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Rachel Carson Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rachel Carson Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.2%
- Phone
- (408) 535-6287
Resources & Links
District
San Jose Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,059
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,909
- District Rank
- #31 of 41
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.