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Below Average

#1589 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Santa Lucia School

Elementary School

1460 PLUM ORCHARD LN, Templeton, CA 93465

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

30

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#971 of 1,102

About Santa Lucia School

Santa Lucia School serves just 30 students from kindergarten through seventh grade in Templeton, California, creating an exceptionally intimate learning environment. With only four full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 7.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for highly personalized attention and instruction. This small public elementary school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #768 out of 1,790 California schools, placing it in the 57th percentile statewide.

The school's compact size fosters close relationships between students, families, and educators, creating a tight-knit academic community where every child is known and supported. Santa Lucia School draws families from a well-educated community where 43% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding area reflects economic stability with a median household income of $128,684 and a low poverty rate of just 3.6%.

This supportive community foundation, combined with median home values of $808,200, indicates strong local investment in education and family life. The school sits in a rural setting near the charming town of Templeton in San Luis Obispo County, offering students a peaceful learning environment surrounded by the natural beauty of California's Central Coast region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 30 students, Santa Lucia School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Santa Lucia School 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.

As a private school, Santa Lucia School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$13,151
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$12,566
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.96x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
86%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$517,059

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 30 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Santa Lucia School compares to the 7 public schools in Templeton, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
This School
vs
20.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
30
This School
vs
319
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
5.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 66.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 23.3% vs 0%
Santa Lucia School Templeton Public Avg

All Schools in Templeton

School Rating
Santa Lucia School (this school) 4.9
Templeton High 7.3
Templeton Home 5.2
Templeton Independent Study High 4.6
Eagle Canyon High
Templeton Middle 5.7
Templeton Elementary 5.8
Vineyard Elementary 5.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 902
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 43%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
D 1.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 30
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 66.7%
Hispanic 23.3%
Native American 6.7%
Two or More 3.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1460 PLUM ORCHARD LN, Templeton, CA 93465

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Lucia School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monterey Road Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Atascadero), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Atascadero), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Templeton Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Templeton, see our Templeton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Templeton High Templeton 0.8 mi 7.3
Eagle Canyon High Templeton 0.9 mi
Templeton Independent Study High Templeton 0.9 mi 4.6
Templeton Home Templeton 0.9 mi 5.2
TEMPLETON HILLS 7TH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Templeton 1.1 mi
Templeton Middle Templeton 1.0 mi 5.7
Templeton Hills Adventist School Templeton 1.2 mi
Templeton Elementary Templeton 1.1 mi 5.8
Vineyard Elementary Templeton 1.2 mi 5.2
ACTS Advanced Christian Training Schools Atascadero 2.7 mi
San Benito Elementary Atascadero 2.5 mi 3.6
CHILDRENS HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Atascadero 2.9 mi 4.6
Monterey Road Elementary Atascadero 3.0 mi 7.2
Vineyard Classical Academy Paso Robles 3.4 mi
Fine Arts Academy Atascadero 4.3 mi 7.5
Nickel S Ranch Academy Paso Robles 4.6 mi
Atascadero Middle Atascadero 4.5 mi 6.3
Atascadero High Atascadero 4.6 mi 7.0
NORTH COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Atascadero 4.6 mi 6.3
Thrive Academy El Paso De Robles (paso Robles) 5.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93465 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$120,843

Median Home Value

$875,200

Median Rent

$2,417/mo

Population

10,248

College Educated

47.2%

Homeownership

77.1%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

46.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Lucia School has a median household income of $120,843. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $875,200, with a median rent of $2,417/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
ARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Gabriel, CA 4.9
KINDERLAND MONTESSORI Chula Vista, CA 4.9
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel, CA 4.9
SYCAMORE SCHOOL Malibu, CA 4.9
UNITED AUBURN INDIAN COMMUNITY TRIBAL SCHOOL Loomis, CA 4.9
EL CAJON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Cajon, CA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Lucia School

What grades does Santa Lucia School serve?

Santa Lucia School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.

How many students attend Santa Lucia School?

Santa Lucia School has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Lucia School?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Lucia School is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Santa Lucia School rank in CA?

Santa Lucia School is ranked #1589 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Santa Lucia School's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Lucia School has a composite rating of 4.9 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.

Is Santa Lucia School a private school?

Yes, Santa Lucia School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Santa Lucia School a religious school?

No, Santa Lucia School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
30
Gender Split
37% M / 63% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
5.5 hours
Days Per Year
164 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
SAN LUIS OBISPO
Data Year
2022–2023

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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