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Average

#5701 of 9,539 schools in CA

Rio Del Mar Elementary

Elementary School · Pajaro Valley Unified

819 Pinehurst Dr., Aptos, CA 95003

Enrollment

408

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,701 of 9,539

In Aptos

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#12 of 33

Pajaro Valley Unified

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Rio Del Mar Elementary

5.9/10

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

St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy

Nearby

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

Aptos Junior High

6.4/10

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

About Rio Del Mar Elementary

Rio Del Mar Elementary is a public elementary school in Aptos, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Rio Del Mar Elementary serves approximately 408 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Rio Del Mar Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,701 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Rio Del Mar Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Rio Del Mar Elementary runs 22.7:1 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 Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,409
Chronic Absenteeism26.7%

Rio Del Mar Elementary — Students at Rio Del Mar Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 67.9% (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
80%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
56.6%
ELA
61.1%
2024
Math
50.5%
ELA
57.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Rio Del Mar Elementary Compares

See how Rio Del Mar Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in CA
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

819 Pinehurst Dr., Aptos, CA 95003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rio Del Mar Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valencia Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Main Street Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SALESIAN ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Corralitos), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Aptos, see our Aptos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy Aptos 0.7 mi
Aptos Junior High Aptos 1.3 mi 6.4
Aptos High Aptos 1.5 mi 6.3
Valencia Elementary Aptos 1.6 mi 8.1
Seacliff Academy Aptos 2.1 mi
ORCHARD SCHOOL Aptos 2.6 mi 5.2
Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos 2.3 mi
Renaissance High Continuation La Selva Beach 2.8 mi 5.9
Mar Vista Elementary Aptos 2.9 mi 4.3
Delta Charter Aptos 3.2 mi 5.8
TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos 3.4 mi 5.1
MONTEREY BAY ACADEMY La Selva Beach 4.1 mi 7.2
Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel 3.8 mi
Monterey Bay Academy La Selva Beach 4.2 mi
Bradley Elementary Watsonville 4.0 mi 3.8
SALESIAN ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Corralitos 4.4 mi 6.6
Salesian Elementary and Jr. High Corralitos 4.4 mi
New Brighton Middle Capitola 4.1 mi 6.2
Tara Redwood School Soquel 4.8 mi
Main Street Elementary Soquel 4.8 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,990

Median Home Value

$1,154,000

Median Rent

$2,548/mo

Population

24,708

College Educated

54.5%

Homeownership

72.2%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

48.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alta Heights Elementary Napa, CA 5.9
Alta Mesa Elementary Redding, CA 5.9
Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary Chino, CA 5.9
Antelope Elementary Red Bluff, CA 5.9
Aspire Inskeep Academy Charter Oakland, CA 5.9
Badillo Elementary Covina, CA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rio Del Mar Elementary

What grades does Rio Del Mar Elementary serve?

Rio Del Mar Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Rio Del Mar Elementary?

Rio Del Mar Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rio Del Mar Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rio Del Mar Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rio Del Mar Elementary rank in CA?

Rio Del Mar Elementary ranks #5,701 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Rio Del Mar Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rio Del Mar Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Rio Del Mar Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rio Del Mar Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Rio Del Mar Elementary a charter school?

No, Rio Del Mar Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rio Del Mar Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rio Del Mar Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rio Del Mar Elementary?

24.0% of students at Rio Del Mar 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Cruz County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

District

Pajaro Valley Unified
District Enrollment
17,013
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,409
District Rank
#12 of 33

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