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
Enrollment
233
Student-Teacher
25.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Smith River Elementary — Students at Smith River Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 7.0/10.
How Smith River Elementary Compares
See how Smith River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 21.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37.27% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (707) 464-0370
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Del Norte County Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,427
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,219
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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