Needs Improvement
#9045 of 9,539 schools in CA
Spruce Elementary
Elementary School · South San Francisco Unified
398 B St., South San Francisco, CA 94080
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,045 of 9,539
In South San Francisco
#12 of 12
public schools
In district
#15 of 15
South San Francisco Unified
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Spruce Elementary
Elementary School in South San Francisco · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Shiloh United School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
All Souls Catholic Elementary School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Spruce Elementary
Spruce Elementary is a public elementary school in South San Francisco, CA, part of South San Francisco Unified. Spruce Elementary serves approximately 394 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Spruce Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #9,045 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Spruce Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.7
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Spruce Elementary runs 21.9:1 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.
37% of students at Spruce Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Spruce Elementary — Students at Spruce Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.4/10.
How Spruce Elementary Compares
See how Spruce Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
398 B St., South San Francisco, CA 94080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spruce Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brisbane Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Brisbane), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buri Buri Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South San Francisco, see our South San Francisco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SHILOH UNITED SCHOOL South San Francisco | 0.1 mi | 5.1 |
| ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Building Kidz South San Francisco | 0.2 mi | — |
| Martin Elementary South San Francisco | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Parkway Heights Middle South San Francisco | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY South San Francisco | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| MILLS MONTESSORI South San Francisco | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Los Cerritos Elementary South San Francisco | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| South San Francisco High South San Francisco | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| ST VERONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| St. Veronica Catholic School South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | — |
| Sunshine Gardens Elementary South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Ponderosa Elementary South San Francisco | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Baden High (Continuation) South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Brisbane Elementary Brisbane | 1.7 mi | 9.4 |
| El Camino High South San Francisco | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Lipman Middle Brisbane | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$135,966
Median Home Value
$1,159,500
Median Rent
$2,840/mo
Population
65,036
College Educated
40.1%
Homeownership
60.8%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
42.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 3.5 |
| BEATITUDES OF OUR LORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL La Mirada, CA | 3.5 |
| Barnett Elementary Ramona, CA | 3.5 |
| Cedar Lane Elementary Olivehurst, CA | 3.5 |
| Citrus Glen Elementary Ventura, CA | 3.5 |
| Creekside Elementary Stockton, CA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spruce Elementary
What grades does Spruce Elementary serve?
Spruce Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Spruce Elementary?
Spruce Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spruce Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Spruce Elementary is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spruce Elementary rank in CA?
Spruce Elementary ranks #9,045 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Spruce Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Spruce Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Spruce Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Spruce Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Spruce Elementary a charter school?
No, Spruce Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spruce Elementary a Title I school?
No, Spruce Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spruce Elementary?
64.5% of students at Spruce 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 394
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- San Mateo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.1%
- Phone
- (650) 877-8780
Resources & Links
District
South San Francisco Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,770
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,850
- District Rank
- #15 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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