Very Good
#2677 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 28% in state
Santa Margarita Elementary
Elementary School · Atascadero Unified
PO Box 380, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
25.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
25.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#2,677 of 9,539
In district
#2 of 11
Atascadero Unified
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Santa Margarita Elementary
Elementary School in Santa Margarita · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Paloma Creek High
4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Atascadero Choices in Education Academy (ace)
4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Santa Margarita Elementary
Santa Margarita Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Margarita, CA, part of Atascadero Unified. Santa Margarita Elementary serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Margarita Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,677 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Santa Margarita Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 6.6
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Santa Margarita Elementary runs 25.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Santa Margarita Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Santa Margarita Elementary — Students at Santa Margarita Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 8.8/10.
How Santa Margarita Elementary Compares
See how Santa Margarita Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 380, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Margarita Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sinsheimer Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby San Luis Obispo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pacheco Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby San Luis Obispo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bishop's Peak Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby San Luis Obispo), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Margarita, see our Santa Margarita schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Paloma Creek High Atascadero | 4.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Atascadero Choices in Education Academy (ACE) Atascadero | 4.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Santa Rosa Road Academic Academy Atascadero | 5.8 mi | 5.2 |
| San Gabriel Elementary Atascadero | 5.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Teach Elementary San Luis Obispo | 7.4 mi | 8.2 |
| San Luis Obispo Classical Academy San Luis Obispo | 7.4 mi | — |
| Atascadero High Atascadero | 7.3 mi | 5.1 |
| NORTH COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Atascadero | 7.4 mi | 6.3 |
| ORFALEA FAMILY & ASI CHILDREN'S CENTER RM # 133 San Luis Obispo | 7.5 mi | — |
| Atascadero Middle Atascadero | 7.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Fine Arts Academy Atascadero | 7.7 mi | 7.3 |
| San Luis Obispo High San Luis Obispo | 8.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Pacheco Elementary San Luis Obispo | 7.9 mi | 7.4 |
| PEEP - PREPARE San Luis Obispo | 8.2 mi | — |
| Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo | 8.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Old Mission School San Luis Obispo | 8.6 mi | — |
| OLD MISSION SCHOOL San Luis Obispo | 8.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School San Luis Obispo | 8.6 mi | — |
| MISSION COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL San Luis Obispo | 8.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Sinsheimer Elementary San Luis Obispo | 9.0 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93453 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,288
Median Home Value
$720,100
Median Rent
$638/mo
Population
2,003
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
56.1%
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
61.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ASSUMPTION SCHOOL San Leandro, CA | 7.4 |
| BLACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL Berkeley, CA | 7.4 |
| BPC UPPER SCHOOL Berkeley, CA | 7.4 |
| C. W. Haman Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 7.4 |
| CHRIST CATHEDRAL ACADEMY Garden Grove, CA | 7.4 |
| Central Elementary Baldwin Park, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Margarita Elementary
What grades does Santa Margarita Elementary serve?
Santa Margarita Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Santa Margarita Elementary?
Santa Margarita Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Margarita Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Margarita Elementary is 25.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Margarita Elementary rank in CA?
Santa Margarita Elementary ranks #2,677 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Santa Margarita Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Margarita Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Santa Margarita Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Margarita Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Santa Margarita Elementary a charter school?
No, Santa Margarita Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Margarita Elementary a Title I school?
No, Santa Margarita Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Margarita Elementary?
37.0% of students at Santa Margarita 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 284
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Luis Obispo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.7%
- Phone
- (805) 438-5633
Resources & Links
District
Atascadero Unified- District Enrollment
- 4,338
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,963
- District Rank
- #2 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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