Needs Improvement
#9101 of 9,533 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
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South San Francisco
#12 of 12
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,483 of 5,817
In district
#15 of 15
South San Francisco Unified
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Spruce Elementary
Spruce Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in South San Francisco, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Spruce Elementary has an enrollment of 394 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 2.9 out of 10, ranking it at the 8th percentile among California schools.
Academically, Spruce Elementary has work to do, with only 24% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 26% proficient in Math across all grades. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is likely focusing on student development and growth in various areas beyond standardized test performance. Spruce Elementary is situated in a small city setting within South San Francisco.
The area does not have specific neighborhood data available, but it offers students an urban environment with opportunities to engage with diverse communities and resources nearby.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Spruce Elementary is 21.9:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 12 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: 2.5/10.
How Spruce Elementary Compares
See how Spruce Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 22.77% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 21% (2024).
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 9.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Brisbane), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buri Buri Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ponderosa Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 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 | 6.0 |
| Parkway Heights Middle South San Francisco | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| South San Francisco High South San Francisco | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Ponderosa Elementary South San Francisco | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Baden High (Continuation) South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Brisbane Elementary Brisbane | 1.7 mi | 9.5 |
| El Camino High South San Francisco | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Lipman Middle Brisbane | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spruce Elementary has a median household income of $135,966. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,159,500, with a median rent of $2,840/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allison Elementary Pomona, CA | 3.8 |
| Bear Gulch Elementary Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 3.8 |
| Capistrano Elementary Modesto, CA | 3.8 |
| Carl E. Gilbert Elementary Buena Park, CA | 3.8 |
| Cleo Gordon Elementary Fairfield, CA | 3.8 |
| Crescent Elementary Suisun, CA | 3.8 |
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 is ranked #9101 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Spruce Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Spruce Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Spruce Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spruce Elementary has 25.8% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,875/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South San Francisco). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (650) 877-8780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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