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
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Sun Valley Elementary — Students at Sun Valley Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Sun Valley Elementary Compares
See how Sun Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 73% (2019) to 71.02% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 70.66% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (415) 485-2440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Rafael City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,356
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,233
- District Rank
- #1 of 8
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.
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