Skip to main content

Very Good

#2138 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 22% in state

Sun Valley Elementary

Elementary School · San Rafael City Elementary

75 Happy Ln., San Rafael, CA 94901

Enrollment

509

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Rafael

#3 of 17

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,485 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 8

San Rafael City Elementary

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Sun Valley Elementary

Sun Valley Elementary serves 509 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in San Rafael, California, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 92nd percentile among California's elementary schools (#799 out of 9,566), the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across core subjects. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.1 to 1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.

Academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 71% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics—results that reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence. Sun Valley Elementary draws from a well-educated community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 94901 ZIP code area, home to over 40,000 residents, features a median household income of $113,294 and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.6%.

These community characteristics, combined with median home values of $1.3 million, indicate strong local investment in education and family stability. Located on Happy Lane in the small city of San Rafael in Marin County, Sun Valley Elementary benefits from its position in an affluent, education-focused community that values academic achievement and supports student success.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sun Valley Elementary is 23.1:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.7%
Math vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.9 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,448

Sun Valley Elementary — Students at Sun Valley Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 70.6%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 71.5%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 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
73%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
70.9%
ELA
70.7%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Sun Valley Elementary Compares

See how Sun Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

75 Happy Ln., San Rafael, CA 94901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sun Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ross Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Ross), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookside Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Anselmo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Wade Thomas Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby San Anselmo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Rafael, see our San Rafael schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Irene M. Hunt School / Side by Side San Anselmo 0.6 mi
SAN ANSELMO MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Anselmo 0.6 mi
OAK HILL SCHOOL San Anselmo 0.6 mi 6.3
IRINE M HUNT SCHOOL OF MARIN San Anselmo 0.6 mi 6.2
Terra Linda High San Rafael 1.1 mi 8.5
CHRONOS ACADEMY San Anselmo 0.9 mi
MARIN ACADEMY San Rafael 1.1 mi 6.7
St. Anselm School San Anselmo 1.2 mi
Wade Thomas Elementary San Anselmo 1.3 mi 6.9
Vallecito Elementary San Rafael 1.5 mi 6.3
Archie Williams High San Anselmo 1.2 mi 6.8
LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING PROCESSES SAN RAFAEL San Rafael 1.3 mi
MARK DAY SCHOOL San Rafael 1.5 mi 6.6
Mark Day School San Rafael 1.5 mi
THE BRANSON SCHOOL Ross 1.5 mi 7.0
Ross Elementary Ross 1.7 mi 9.3
Brookside Elementary San Anselmo 1.4 mi 7.6
Saint Isabella School San Rafael 1.8 mi
The Branson School Ross 1.7 mi
ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL San Rafael 1.5 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,837

Median Home Value

$1,369,500

Median Rent

$2,229/mo

Population

41,095

College Educated

48.4%

Homeownership

49.9%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sun Valley Elementary has a median household income of $108,837. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,369,500, with a median rent of $2,229/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
A. M. Winn Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA 7.6
Ada S. Nelson Elementary Whittier, CA 7.6
Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA 7.6
Arlington Elementary Torrance, CA 7.6
Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA 7.6
Baldy View Elementary Upland, CA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sun Valley Elementary

What grades does Sun Valley Elementary serve?

Sun Valley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sun Valley Elementary?

Sun Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 509 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sun Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sun Valley Elementary is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sun Valley Elementary rank in CA?

Sun Valley Elementary is ranked #2138 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sun Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sun Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Sun Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sun Valley Elementary has 70.6% math proficiency and 71.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sun Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sun Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sun Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sun Valley Elementary?

31.0% of students at Sun Valley 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

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,042/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Rafael). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Marin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Rafael City Elementary
District Enrollment
4,356
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,233
District Rank
#1 of 8

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.