Average
#7628 of 9,533 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
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aptos
#6 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,526 of 5,817
In district
#22 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
Equity
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Rio Del Mar Elementary
Rio del Mar Elementary serves 408 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Aptos, California. This public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.7 to 1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Rio del Mar Elementary demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 74th percentile statewide at #2,536 among California's 9,566 schools.
Students show strong literacy skills, with 58% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. In mathematics, 50% of students perform at proficient levels or higher. The school draws families from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $136,506 and 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 3.5%, with median home values of $1,107,300 reflecting the desirability of this coastal region. Rio del Mar Elementary sits in the scenic mid-size suburb of Aptos in Santa Cruz County, where families enjoy the benefits of both educational opportunity and California's beautiful central coast setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Rio Del Mar Elementary is 22.7:1, 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Rio Del Mar Elementary — Students at Rio Del Mar Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24%
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: 3.2/10.
How Rio Del Mar Elementary Compares
See how Rio Del Mar Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 50% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 58.3% (2024).
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 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SALESIAN ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Corralitos), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Main Street Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Soquel), which scores notably 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 | 5.0 |
| Aptos High Aptos | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Valencia Elementary Aptos | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| Mar Vista Elementary Aptos | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| MONTEREY BAY ACADEMY La Selva Beach | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 4.8 mi | — |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 4.8 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rio Del Mar Elementary has a median household income of $140,990. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,154,000, with a median rent of $2,548/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 5.0 |
| Almond Acres Charter Academy Paso Robles, CA | 5.0 |
| Arovista Elementary Brea, CA | 5.0 |
| Aspire Rosa Parks Academy Oakland, CA | 5.0 |
| Barranca Elementary Covina, CA | 5.0 |
| Barstow Fine Arts Academy Barstow, CA | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #7628 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Rio Del Mar Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rio Del Mar Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Rio Del Mar Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rio Del Mar Elementary has 52.5% math proficiency and 59.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (487/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (831) 688-2053
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #22 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.