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#5418 of 9,533 schools in CA

Santa Clara County Special Education

School · Santa Clara County Office of Education

1290 Ridder Park Dr. MC273, San Jose, CA 95131

Enrollment

850

Student-Teacher

8.3:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Jose

#124 of 223

public schools

California schools

#196 of 475

In district

#3 of 4

Santa Clara County Office of Education

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Santa Clara County Special Education

Santa Clara County Special Education serves students in kindergarten through grade 12 in San Jose, with an enrollment of 850 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, supported by 103 full-time equivalent teachers, which allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school is currently working to strengthen its academic foundation.

With proficiency rates of 4% in English language arts and 1% in mathematics, there is significant room for academic growth across grade levels. The school's rating of 3.5 out of 10 reflects these early-stage academic challenges, positioning it in the lower percentile of California schools as it focuses on student development and support. Located at 1290 Ridder Park Drive in San Jose's 95131 area, the school is situated within a large urban community.

The lower student-teacher ratio suggests an emphasis on personalized learning approaches, which can be particularly valuable for students navigating academic hurdles. Families considering this school should understand that it's currently in a developmental phase academically, with the smaller class sizes potentially offering concentrated support as the school works to improve student outcomes.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Santa Clara County Special Education 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Santa Clara County Special Education offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency4.5%
Math vs. State Avg-35.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.9 pts
Overall Proficiency2%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-45.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$153,610

Santa Clara County Special Education — Students at Santa Clara County Special Education score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 1.1%
School
State
34.9%
ELA Proficiency 4.4%
School
State
47.3%

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
3%
ELA
6%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2024
ELA
4.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.

How Santa Clara County Special Education Compares

See how Santa Clara County Special Education performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in CA
Academic
1.3/10
1.3/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
103 teachers

Location

1290 Ridder Park Dr. MC273, San Jose, CA 95131

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Clara County Special Education may also want to explore other schools in the area. Cherrywood Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Santa Clara County Court (rated 7.9/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Abram Agnew Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Jose, see our San Jose schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Santa Clara County Community San Jose 0.0 mi 6.1
Santa Clara County Court San Jose 0.0 mi 7.9
Opportunity Youth Academy San Jose 0.0 mi 5.1
Orchard Elementary San Jose 0.3 mi 4.3
San Jose Conservation Corps Charter San Jose 0.8 mi 6.3
Challenger School - Berryessa San Jose 0.9 mi
Mabel Mattos Elementary Milpitas 1.5 mi 6.7
Walter L. Bachrodt Elementary San Jose 1.6 mi 5.6
Pearl Zanker Elementary Milpitas 1.7 mi 4.7
Brooktree Elementary San Jose 1.5 mi 6.2
Vinci Park Elementary San Jose 1.5 mi 5.9
Stratford Milpitas Great Mall Milpitas 1.9 mi
Stratford Preparatory Milpitas Milpitas 2.0 mi
Muwekma Ohlone Middle San Jose 2.1 mi 5.3
Northwood Elementary San Jose 2.0 mi 5.5
Grant Elementary San Jose 2.3 mi 4.2
LIFE CONNECTIONS CHILDRENS LEARNING CENTER Milpitas 2.5 mi
Cherrywood Elementary San Jose 2.1 mi 8.5
Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose 2.3 mi 7.3
Empire Gardens Elementary San Jose 2.4 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$170,128

Median Home Value

$1,134,200

Median Rent

$3,182/mo

Population

30,745

College Educated

57%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Clara County Special Education has a median household income of $170,128. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,134,200, with a median rent of $3,182/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% 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
San Joaquin County Community Stockton, CA 6.1
THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL Sherman Oaks, CA 6.1
Vista Oaks Charter Lodi, CA 6.1
WILDWOOD SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 6.1
Academy of Innovation Hemet, CA 6.0
Mojave River Academy - Oro Grande Oro Grande, CA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Clara County Special Education

What grades does Santa Clara County Special Education serve?

Santa Clara County Special Education serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Santa Clara County Special Education?

Santa Clara County Special Education has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Clara County Special Education?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Clara County Special Education is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Clara County Special Education rank in CA?

Santa Clara County Special Education is ranked #5418 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Santa Clara County Special Education's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Clara County Special Education has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Santa Clara County Special Education?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Clara County Special Education has 1.1% math proficiency and 4.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Santa Clara County Special Education a charter school?

No, Santa Clara County Special Education is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Santa Clara County Special Education a Title I school?

No, Santa Clara County Special Education is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Clara County Special Education?

48.6% of students at Santa Clara County Special Education 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 (3,210/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
103
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.6%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Large City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Clara County Office of Education
District Enrollment
1,408
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$174,947
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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