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Needs Improvement

#9237 of 9,533 schools in CA

Rucker Elementary

Elementary School · Gilroy Unified

325 Santa Clara Ave., Gilroy, CA 95020

Enrollment

508

Student-Teacher

28.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gilroy

#13 of 14

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,583 of 5,817

In district

#13 of 14

Gilroy Unified

About Rucker Elementary

Rucker Elementary is a regular public school located in the mid-size suburb of Gilroy, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 508 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 28.2:1. Rucker Elementary employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse group of young learners.

The academic performance at Rucker Elementary is rated 3.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 20th percentile among California schools. The school's state ranking stands at number 7633 out of 9566 schools, indicating there is room for improvement in academic outcomes. In terms of proficiency rates, 34% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 36% meet the standards in Math.

Despite these challenges, Rucker Elementary remains a community-focused institution dedicated to student development and growth. The school's setting within Gilroy provides a supportive suburban environment for its students, fostering both academic and personal learning experiences. Rucker Elementary is situated at 325 Santa Clara Avenue in a neighborhood that values education and community support.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Rucker Elementary is 28.2:1, 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 Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.7%
Math vs. State Avg-12.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,503

Rucker Elementary — Students at Rucker Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.7%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 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
48%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
32.6%
ELA
31.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Rucker Elementary Compares

See how Rucker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

325 Santa Clara Ave., Gilroy, CA 95020

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rucker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paradise Valley Engineering Academy (rated 7.5/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Morgan Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Barrett Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Morgan Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gilroy, see our Gilroy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Christopher High Gilroy 1.4 mi 7.2
Rod Kelley Elementary Gilroy 2.3 mi 3.7
Luigi Aprea Elementary Gilroy 2.2 mi 3.7
Mt. Madonna High Gilroy 2.4 mi 5.6
San Martin Gwinn Environmental Science Academy San Martin 2.7 mi 6.1
ST MARY SCHOOL Gilroy 2.8 mi 6.3
St. Mary, Gilroy Gilroy 2.9 mi
South Valley Middle Gilroy 2.8 mi 6.0
Gilroy Prep (a Navigator School) Hollister 2.9 mi 4.0
Brownell Middle Gilroy 3.0 mi 6.1
El Roble Elementary Gilroy 3.2 mi 4.6
Eliot Elementary Gilroy 3.6 mi 3.4
Solorsano Middle Gilroy 3.7 mi 5.7
Glen View Elementary Gilroy 3.8 mi 3.6
Gilroy High Gilroy 4.1 mi 5.8
Las Animas Elementary Gilroy 4.5 mi 5.1
Paradise Valley Engineering Academy Morgan Hill 4.9 mi 7.5
SPRING ACADEMY Gilroy 4.7 mi
Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill 5.3 mi 6.5
Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy Gilroy 5.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,242

Median Home Value

$1,005,600

Median Rent

$2,256/mo

Population

67,945

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

64.2%

Avg Commute

34.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rucker Elementary has a median household income of $134,242. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,005,600, with a median rent of $2,256/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto, CA 3.5
Aspire Antonio Maria Lugo Academy Oakland, CA 3.5
Campo Elementary Campo, CA 3.5
Carmichael (Bessie)/FEC San Francisco, CA 3.5
Davis Elementary Stockton, CA 3.5
Garfield Elementary Menlo Park, CA 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rucker Elementary

What grades does Rucker Elementary serve?

Rucker Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Rucker Elementary?

Rucker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 508 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rucker Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rucker Elementary is 28.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rucker Elementary rank in CA?

Rucker Elementary is ranked #9237 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Rucker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rucker Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Rucker Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rucker Elementary has 35.7% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rucker Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Rucker Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rucker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rucker Elementary?

68.1% of students at Rucker 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 (2,673/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
508
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gilroy Unified
District Enrollment
10,244
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,984
District Rank
#13 of 14

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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