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Needs Improvement

#9191 of 9,539 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,191 of 9,539

In Orcutt

#9 of 9

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

Orcutt Union Elementary

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Ralph Dunlap Elementary

3.2/10

Elementary School in Orcutt · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Orcutt School for Independent Study

7.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Family Partnership Charter

8.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ralph Dunlap Elementary

Ralph Dunlap Elementary is a public elementary school in Orcutt, CA, part of Orcutt Union Elementary. Ralph Dunlap Elementary serves approximately 486 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 27:1 student-teacher ratio. Ralph Dunlap Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #9,191 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Ralph Dunlap Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.9
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Ralph Dunlap Elementary runs 27:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,143
Chronic Absenteeism22.8%

Ralph Dunlap Elementary — Students at Ralph Dunlap Elementary score 33% 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

43%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 49.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
71%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
30.7%
ELA
41.7%
2024
Math
31.8%
ELA
34.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.4/10.

How Ralph Dunlap Elementary Compares

See how Ralph Dunlap Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

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. Bill Libbon Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Maria), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pine Grove Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orcutt School for Independent Study (rated 7.3/10), 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 7.3
Family Partnership Charter Santa Maria 0.3 mi 8.8
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 6.9
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Santa Maria 0.9 mi 5.8
Pine Grove Elementary Orcutt 1.0 mi 7.5
Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria 1.1 mi 6.3
Patterson Road Elementary Orcutt 1.0 mi 6.5
Delta High Santa Maria 1.2 mi 5.9
Alice Shaw Elementary Orcutt 1.5 mi 4.9
Orcutt Junior High Orcutt 1.6 mi 5.2
Orcutt Academy Charter Orcutt 1.6 mi 6.7
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Maria 1.9 mi 5.0
Lakeview Junior High Orcutt 2.0 mi 5.9
Joe Nightingale Elementary Orcutt 2.3 mi 6.8
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Santa Maria 2.6 mi 5.3
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 4.1 mi 7.7
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 4.4 mi 5.1
Trivium Charter Lompoc 4.4 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert, CA 3.2
Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA 3.2
Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto, CA 3.2
Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA 3.2
Arlington Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA 3.2
Aspire Richmond Technology Academy Oakland, 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 ranks #9,191 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Ralph Dunlap Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ralph Dunlap Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Ralph Dunlap Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ralph Dunlap Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

District

Orcutt Union Elementary
District Enrollment
4,764
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,143
District Rank
#10 of 10

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