Very Good
#2705 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 28% in state
Robert Down Elementary
Elementary School · Pacific Grove Unified
485 Pine Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pacific Grove
#3 of 5
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,826 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 4
Pacific Grove Unified
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Robert Down Elementary
Robert Down Elementary serves 403 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Pacific Grove, California, and stands as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranking #253 out of 9,566 California schools, this regular public school consistently delivers excellent academic outcomes for its students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academic performance is particularly strong, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 69% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These impressive results have earned the school a 9.2 out of 10 academic score and placement in the 97th percentile statewide. Robert Down Elementary draws families from Pacific Grove's well-educated community, where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $102,553.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.1% reflects the area's economic stability. Located at 485 Pine Avenue, the school serves families in this desirable mid-size suburb along California's scenic Monterey Peninsula, where the median home value of over $1 million reflects the area's premium coastal location and strong community appeal.
Score Breakdown
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Robert Down Elementary — Students at Robert Down Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 5.7/10.
How Robert Down Elementary Compares
See how Robert Down Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 68.21% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 73.44% (2024).
Location
485 Pine Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Robert Down Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest Grove Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Monterey Bay Charter (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SAN CARLOS SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Monterey), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pacific Grove, see our Pacific Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Grove Middle Pacific Grove | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Pacific Grove High Pacific Grove | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Monterey | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Forest Grove Elementary Pacific Grove | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Sojourner Academy Monterey | 1.0 mi | — |
| Community High (Continuation) Pacific Grove | 1.1 mi | — |
| Monterey Bay Charter Pacific Grove | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Big Sur Charter Monterey | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Monte Vista Monterey | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Monterey High Monterey | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Catherine Dior School Monterey | 1.9 mi | — |
| San Carlos Elementary Monterey | 2.1 mi | — |
| SAN CARLOS SCHOOL Monterey | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Stevenson School Pebble Beach Pebble Beach | 2.9 mi | — |
| STEVENSON SCHOOL - PEBBLE BEACH CAMPUS Pebble Beach | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Bay View Academy Monterey | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel | 3.7 mi | — |
| Santa Catalina School Monterey | 3.2 mi | — |
| SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL Monterey | 3.2 mi | 8.5 |
| La Mesa Monterey | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93950 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$105,568
Median Home Value
$1,129,400
Median Rent
$2,384/mo
Population
15,003
College Educated
58.5%
Homeownership
48.8%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
50.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Robert Down Elementary has a median household income of $105,568. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,129,400, with a median rent of $2,384/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.3 |
| Achieve Academy Oakland, CA | 7.3 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater, CA | 7.3 |
| Almaden Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.3 |
| Amy Imai Elementary Mountain View, CA | 7.3 |
| Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz, CA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Robert Down Elementary
What grades does Robert Down Elementary serve?
Robert Down Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Robert Down Elementary?
Robert Down Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert Down Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Robert Down Elementary is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Robert Down Elementary rank in CA?
Robert Down Elementary is ranked #2705 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Robert Down Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Robert Down Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Robert Down Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert Down Elementary has 69.9% math proficiency and 74.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Robert Down Elementary a charter school?
No, Robert Down Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Robert Down Elementary a Title I school?
No, Robert Down Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert Down Elementary?
16.9% of students at Robert Down 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pacific Grove). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 403
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 646-6540
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pacific Grove Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,727
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,660
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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
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