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Very Good

#2116 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

San Ardo Elementary

Elementary School · San Ardo Union Elementary

PO Box 170, San Ardo, CA 93450

Enrollment

86

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#1,472 of 5,817

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About San Ardo Elementary

San Ardo Elementary is a small public school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in the remote rural community of San Ardo, California. With an enrollment of just 86 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for every child. Five full-time equivalent teachers work to meet the needs of this tight-knit community.

While academic performance scores are modest, with only 16% proficiency in English Language Arts/Reading and 25% proficiency in Math across all grades, San Ardo Elementary is focused on fostering student development and growth in a supportive environment. The school's setting provides a unique rural experience for its students, offering opportunities to connect with the local community and natural surroundings.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 86 students, San Ardo Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at San Ardo Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, San Ardo Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13.6%
Math vs. State Avg-19 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,634

San Ardo Elementary — Students at San Ardo Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.4%
School
State
37.6%
ELA Proficiency 16.3%
School
State
46.2%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
29.8%
ELA
13.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.

How San Ardo Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 170, San Ardo, CA 93450

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering San Ardo Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lillian Larsen Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby San Miguel), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bradley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Bradley), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kermit King Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 28.5 miles away, in nearby Paso Robles), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Ardo, see our San Ardo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 29.2 mi
School Distance Rating
San Lucas Elementary San Lucas 9.9 mi 6.1
Bradley Elementary Bradley 12.1 mi 7.7
San Antonio Elementary Lockwood 11.2 mi 3.5
Cappy Culver Elementary Paso Robles 19.1 mi 6.1
King City Arts Magnet King City 18.1 mi 6.0
HILLSVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMIC SCHOOL King City 18.4 mi 3.7
King City High King City 18.3 mi 5.1
Pinnacle Coastal Valley High King City 18.3 mi 4.0
Portola-Butler Continuation High King City 18.4 mi 5.9
Santa Lucia Elementary King City 18.5 mi 4.7
Del Rey Elementary King City 18.7 mi 5.1
Chalone Peaks Middle King City 19.0 mi 5.2
Lillian Larsen Elementary San Miguel 21.5 mi 8.1
Bitterwater-Tully Elementary King City 25.2 mi
Georgia Brown Dual Immersion Magnet Elementary Paso Robles 28.0 mi 5.5
Pleasant Valley Elementary San Miguel 26.8 mi 4.8
Kermit King Elementary Paso Robles 28.5 mi 7.0
George H. Flamson Middle Paso Robles 28.8 mi 7.5
Paso Robles Independent Study Center Paso Robles 28.8 mi 5.0
Glen Speck Elementary Paso Robles 29.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93450 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Home Value

$427,300

Median Rent

$1,148/mo

Population

740

College Educated

6.9%

Homeownership

58.5%

Poverty Rate

33.2%

Median Age

25.4

Community Profile

It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $427,300, with a median rent of $1,148/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CASA DI MIR MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Campbell, CA 7.6
CHILDRENS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Van Nuys, CA 7.6
Cuyama Elementary New Cuyama, CA 7.6
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF RIVERSIDE Riverside, CA 7.6
Justin Elementary Simi Valley, CA 7.6
KIRK O' THE VALLEY SCHOOL Reseda, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about San Ardo Elementary

What grades does San Ardo Elementary serve?

San Ardo Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend San Ardo Elementary?

San Ardo Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 86 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at San Ardo Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at San Ardo Elementary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does San Ardo Elementary rank in CA?

San Ardo Elementary is ranked #2116 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is San Ardo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

San Ardo Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 San Ardo Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, San Ardo Elementary has 25.4% math proficiency and 16.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is San Ardo Elementary a charter school?

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

Is San Ardo Elementary a Title I school?

No, San Ardo Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

73.3% of students at San Ardo 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (256/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Monterey County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Ardo Union Elementary
District Enrollment
86
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,848
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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