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
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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San Ardo Elementary — Students at San Ardo Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 26.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 13.56% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (831) 627-2520
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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