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Average

#5978 of 9,533 schools in CA

Smith River Elementary

Elementary School · Del Norte County Unified

134 First St., Smith River, CA 95567

Enrollment

233

Student-Teacher

25.9:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#3,582 of 5,817

In district

#5 of 11

Del Norte County Unified

Academic growth

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Smith River Elementary

Smith River Elementary, located in the rural setting of Smith River, California, is a regular public school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 233 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 25.9:1, the school provides a modest educational environment. The school's academic performance ranks at the 39th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, indicating there is room for improvement in academic achievement.

Specifically, 37% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while only 22% are proficient or above in Math. Smith River Elementary focuses on nurturing its community, where teachers work closely with families to support student development. The school's rural setting offers a close-knit atmosphere that fosters personal connections between staff, students, and parents.

Smith River Elementary is dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment for its young scholars as they navigate their educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Smith River Elementary is 25.9:1, 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, Smith River 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 Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.3%
Math vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,514

Smith River Elementary — Students at Smith River Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 37.1%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 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
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
21.3%
ELA
37.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.

How Smith River Elementary Compares

See how Smith River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in CA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

134 First St., Smith River, CA 95567

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joe Hamilton Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Crescent City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Redwood Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Fort Dick), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kalmiopsis Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Brookings), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Smith River, see our Smith River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 36.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Redwood Elementary Fort Dick 4.0 mi 6.5
Sunset High Crescent City 8.1 mi 6.2
Pine Grove Elementary Crescent City 10.0 mi 3.7
Crescent City SDA School Crescent City 10.6 mi
Mary Peacock Elementary Crescent City 10.8 mi 4.9
Del Norte High Crescent City 11.3 mi 6.8
Del Norte Community Crescent City 11.4 mi 5.8
Castle Rock Crescent City 11.4 mi 6.3
Bess Maxwell Elementary Crescent City 11.5 mi 3.7
Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City 12.1 mi 5.0
Joe Hamilton Elementary Crescent City 12.2 mi 6.6
Azalea Middle School Brookings 11.1 mi 6.0
Brookings-Harbor High School Brookings 11.1 mi 4.9
Uncharted Shores Academy Crescent City 12.4 mi 6.4
Kalmiopsis Elementary School Brookings 11.3 mi 6.5
Mountain Elementary Gasquet 11.2 mi 4.8
BROOKINGS HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brookings 16.2 mi 5.9
Margaret Keating Elementary Klamath 26.2 mi 4.0
Riley Creek Elementary School Gold Beach 35.9 mi 5.6
Gold Beach Jr/Sr High School Gold Beach 36.0 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95567 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,250

Median Home Value

$326,800

Median Rent

$670/mo

Population

2,349

College Educated

5.4%

Homeownership

82.1%

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smith River Elementary has a median household income of $84,250. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $326,800, with a median rent of $670/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% 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
ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco, CA 5.8
Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow, CA 5.8
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Piedmont, CA 5.8
Clyde W. Needham Elementary Lodi, CA 5.8
Commonwealth Elementary Fullerton, CA 5.8
DE LA SALLE SCHOOL/ ST JOHN BAPTIST Granada Hills, CA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith River Elementary

What grades does Smith River Elementary serve?

Smith River Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Smith River Elementary?

Smith River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 233 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith River Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Smith River Elementary is 25.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith River Elementary rank in CA?

Smith River Elementary is ranked #5978 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Smith River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith River Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Smith River Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith River Elementary has 22.0% math proficiency and 37.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smith River Elementary a charter school?

No, Smith River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smith River Elementary a Title I school?

No, Smith River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith River Elementary?

68.2% of students at Smith River 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 (535/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
233
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Del Norte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Del Norte County Unified
District Enrollment
3,427
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,219
District Rank
#5 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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