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Needs Improvement

#9293 of 9,533 schools in CA

Rice (william) Elementary

Elementary School · Santa Maria-Bonita

700 East Vickie Ave., Santa Maria, CA 93454

Enrollment

913

Student-Teacher

22.3:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Maria

#30 of 30

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,624 of 5,817

In district

#21 of 21

Santa Maria-Bonita

About Rice (william) Elementary

William Rice Elementary serves 913 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in Santa Maria, California. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.3 to 1, providing classroom environments where educators work closely with their students. The school is focusing on student development, with current academic performance showing room for growth.

In English Language Arts, 19% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, while 13% achieve proficiency in mathematics. Rice Elementary ranks in the 9th percentile among California elementary schools, indicating the dedicated staff and community are working to strengthen educational outcomes for their students. Located on East Vickie Avenue, Rice Elementary serves a diverse community within Santa Barbara County.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of families, with a median household income of $80,438 and home values averaging $434,300. About 17% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 11.6% among the ZIP code's 41,110 residents. Rice Elementary operates as a regular public school in this mid-size city setting, where families are invested in their children's educational journey and the school continues working toward improved academic achievement for all students.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Rice (william) Elementary is 22.3:1, 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.8%
Math vs. State Avg-33 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,410

Rice (william) Elementary — Students at Rice (william) Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 21.6%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
31%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
12.6%
ELA
18.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.

How Rice (william) Elementary Compares

See how Rice (william) Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
3th percentile in CA
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

700 East Vickie Ave., Santa Maria, CA 93454

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rice (william) Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bruce (Robert) Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 0.5 mi 4.0
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary Santa Maria 0.6 mi 4.0
Tunnell (Martin Luther) Elementary Santa Maria 0.7 mi 4.1
Fesler (Isaac) Junior High Santa Maria 0.9 mi 4.4
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 0.9 mi
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 0.8 mi 4.9
Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria 0.9 mi 5.8
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 1.3 mi 5.8
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 1.4 mi 5.3
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 1.4 mi 6.5
Miller (Isaac) Elementary Santa Maria 1.8 mi 5.7
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 1.6 mi
Pioneer Valley High Santa Maria 1.6 mi 5.2
Santa Maria High Santa Maria 1.8 mi 5.5
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria 1.7 mi 5.5
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 2.2 mi 5.6
Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria 2.3 mi 4.5
Trivium Charter Lompoc 2.4 mi 4.9
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 2.4 mi 4.5
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 2.6 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93454 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,178

Median Home Value

$477,600

Median Rent

$1,750/mo

Population

41,710

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

53.1%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

31.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rice (william) Elementary has a median household income of $84,178. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $477,600, with a median rent of $1,750/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 Richmond Technology Academy Oakland, CA 3.4
Berkshire Elementary Bakersfield, CA 3.4
Ladd Lane Elementary Hollister, CA 3.4
Lakeside Bakersfield, CA 3.4
Luther Burbank Elementary Merced, CA 3.4
Naranca Elementary El Cajon, CA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rice (william) Elementary

What grades does Rice (william) Elementary serve?

Rice (william) Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Rice (william) Elementary?

Rice (william) Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 913 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rice (william) Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rice (william) Elementary is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rice (william) Elementary rank in CA?

Rice (william) Elementary is ranked #9293 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Rice (william) Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rice (william) Elementary has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Rice (william) Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice (william) Elementary has 15.7% math proficiency and 21.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rice (william) Elementary a charter school?

No, Rice (william) Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rice (william) Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rice (william) Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rice (william) Elementary?

94.1% of students at Rice (william) 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

City Safety
High (2,611/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Maria). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
913
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Santa Barbara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Maria-Bonita
District Enrollment
17,165
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,207
District Rank
#21 of 21

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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