Needs Improvement
#9377 of 9,533 schools in CA
Ralph Dunlap Elementary
Elementary School · Orcutt Union Elementary
500 Dyer St., Orcutt, CA 93455
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
27:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
27:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orcutt
#9 of 9
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,692 of 5,817
In district
#10 of 10
Orcutt Union Elementary
About Ralph Dunlap Elementary
Ralph Dunlap Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Orcutt, California. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 486 and employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 27:1. The setting is ideal for families looking for a mid-size suburban environment that offers a community feel with nearby amenities.
Ralph Dunlap Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning atmosphere where students can grow academically and socially. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10, the school has room for improvement in its academic performance, as reflected by its state ranking at #7518 out of 9566 schools in California. Specifically, in English Language Arts/Reading, 38% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, that number is slightly lower at 34%.
Despite the current challenges, Ralph Dunlap Elementary remains committed to nurturing young minds and fostering a strong sense of community among its students and families. The school's setting in Orcutt offers a safe and friendly environment for children to explore and learn.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ralph Dunlap Elementary is 27:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Ralph Dunlap Elementary — Students at Ralph Dunlap Elementary score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43%
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: 2.6/10.
How Ralph Dunlap Elementary Compares
See how Ralph Dunlap Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 31.41% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 34.42% (2024).
Location
500 Dyer St., Orcutt, CA 93455
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ralph Dunlap Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joe Nightingale Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orcutt School for Independent Study (rated 7.2/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pine Grove Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Orcutt, see our Orcutt schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Orcutt School for Independent Study Orcutt | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| St. Louis de Montfort Elementary Santa Maria | 0.4 mi | — |
| ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT Santa Maria | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Olive Grove Charter - Orcutt/Santa Maria Santa Maria | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Delta High Santa Maria | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Orcutt Junior High Orcutt | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Lakeview Junior High Orcutt | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria | 4.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Trivium Charter Lompoc | 4.4 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93455 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,501
Median Home Value
$572,700
Median Rent
$2,267/mo
Population
44,350
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
77.8%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ralph Dunlap Elementary has a median household income of $108,501. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $572,700, with a median rent of $2,267/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Calimesa Elementary Yucaipa, CA | 3.2 |
| E. P. Foster Elementary Ventura, CA | 3.2 |
| Franklin Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 3.2 |
| La Canada Elementary Lompoc, CA | 3.2 |
| Loma Vista Elementary Salinas, CA | 3.2 |
| Lugonia Elementary Redlands, CA | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ralph Dunlap Elementary
What grades does Ralph Dunlap Elementary serve?
Ralph Dunlap Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Ralph Dunlap Elementary?
Ralph Dunlap Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 486 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ralph Dunlap Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ralph Dunlap Elementary is 27:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ralph Dunlap Elementary rank in CA?
Ralph Dunlap Elementary is ranked #9377 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ralph Dunlap Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ralph Dunlap Elementary has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Ralph Dunlap Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ralph Dunlap Elementary has 33.7% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ralph Dunlap Elementary a charter school?
No, Ralph Dunlap Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ralph Dunlap Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ralph Dunlap Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ralph Dunlap Elementary?
43.0% of students at Ralph Dunlap 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
- Average (281/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 486
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (805) 938-8500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Orcutt Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,764
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,143
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
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 methodologyRelated reading
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