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
Enrollment
913
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Rice (william) Elementary — Students at Rice (william) Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.1%
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: 2.1/10.
How Rice (william) Elementary Compares
See how Rice (william) Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 12.66% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 18.83% (2024).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (805) 361-7740
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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