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Average

#4809 of 9,533 schools in CA

Santa Margarita Elementary

Elementary School · Atascadero Unified

PO Box 380, Santa Margarita, CA 93453

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

25.8:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#2,945 of 5,817

In district

#8 of 11

Atascadero Unified

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Santa Margarita Elementary

Santa Margarita Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Santa Margarita, California. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 284 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 25.8:1, teachers work closely with small groups to provide individualized attention.

Santa Margarita Elementary's academic performance is noteworthy, earning a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranking at the 66th percentile among California schools. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 54% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 51% reach proficiency. These scores indicate that there is room for growth but also highlight the school's commitment to student development.

The school is situated near a town in San Luis Obispo County, providing students with access to both rural and small-town environments. This setting offers unique opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and community engagement. Santa Margarita Elementary stands as an integral part of its close-knit community, fostering a warm and supportive atmosphere for young learners.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Margarita Elementary is 25.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Santa Margarita 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 Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.9%
Math vs. State Avg+6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.1 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,097

Santa Margarita Elementary — Students at Santa Margarita Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 53.6%
School
State
45.3%

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
52%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
50.9%
ELA
52.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How Santa Margarita Elementary Compares

See how Santa Margarita Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in CA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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. Pacheco Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby San Luis Obispo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Santa Rosa Road Academic Academy (rated 6.9/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Atascadero), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sinsheimer Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby San Luis Obispo), which scores slightly higher. 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 4.1
Atascadero Choices in Education Academy (ACE) Atascadero 4.9 mi 3.6
Santa Rosa Road Academic Academy Atascadero 5.8 mi 6.9
San Gabriel Elementary Atascadero 5.8 mi 6.6
Teach Elementary San Luis Obispo 7.4 mi 7.4
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy San Luis Obispo 7.4 mi
Atascadero High Atascadero 7.3 mi 7.0
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 6.3
Fine Arts Academy Atascadero 7.7 mi 7.5
San Luis Obispo High San Luis Obispo 8.1 mi 7.3
Pacheco Elementary San Luis Obispo 7.9 mi 7.8
PEEP - PREPARE San Luis Obispo 8.2 mi
Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo 8.2 mi 5.3
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 6.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Santa Margarita Elementary has a median household income of $70,288. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $720,100, with a median rent of $638/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANTHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salinas, CA 6.3
Arts In Action Community Charter Los Angeles, CA 6.3
BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA 6.3
Beachy Avenue Elementary Arleta, CA 6.3
Blue Oak Charter Chico, CA 6.3
CORPUS CHRISTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pacific Palisades, CA 6.3

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 is ranked #4809 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Santa Margarita Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Margarita Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Margarita Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Margarita Elementary has 51.1% math proficiency and 53.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (404/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Atascadero Unified
District Enrollment
4,338
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,963
District Rank
#8 of 11

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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