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Below Average

#7769 of 9,539 schools in CA

Sunshine Gardens Elementary

Elementary School · South San Francisco Unified

1200 Miller Ave., South San Francisco, CA 94080

Enrollment

334

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,769 of 9,539

In South San Francisco

#9 of 12

public schools

In district

#12 of 15

South San Francisco Unified

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Sunshine Gardens Elementary

4.7/10

Elementary School in South San Francisco · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

EL Camino High

8.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Parkway Heights Middle

5.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sunshine Gardens Elementary

Sunshine Gardens Elementary is a public elementary school in South San Francisco, CA, part of South San Francisco Unified. Sunshine Gardens Elementary serves approximately 334 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunshine Gardens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,769 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Sunshine Gardens Elementary show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Sunshine Gardens Elementary runs 20.9:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-13.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,850
Chronic Absenteeism29.6%

Sunshine Gardens Elementary — Students at Sunshine Gardens Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 43.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
31.3%
ELA
31.3%
2024
Math
31.5%
ELA
36.4%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Sunshine Gardens Elementary Compares

See how Sunshine Gardens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
19th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.6%

Location

1200 Miller Ave., South San Francisco, CA 94080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunshine Gardens Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Skyline Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Daly City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buri Buri Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 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 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
El Camino High South San Francisco 0.3 mi 8.1
Parkway Heights Middle South San Francisco 0.5 mi 5.5
HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY South San Francisco 0.7 mi 6.7
MILLS MONTESSORI South San Francisco 0.7 mi 6.3
Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco 0.8 mi 6.8
Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco 0.8 mi 6.8
Baden High (Continuation) South San Francisco 1.1 mi 5.6
Los Cerritos Elementary South San Francisco 1.1 mi 3.5
Building Kidz South San Francisco 1.1 mi
Ponderosa Elementary South San Francisco 1.4 mi 5.8
South San Francisco High South San Francisco 1.3 mi 6.9
St. Veronica Catholic School South San Francisco 1.4 mi
ST VERONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL South San Francisco 1.4 mi 6.0
Spruce Elementary South San Francisco 1.2 mi 3.5
SHILOH UNITED SCHOOL South San Francisco 1.2 mi 5.1
ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco 1.3 mi 5.8
Martin Elementary South San Francisco 1.5 mi 3.9
Susan B. Anthony Elementary Daly City 2.0 mi 6.6
Westborough Middle South San Francisco 2.0 mi 8.3
Skyline Elementary Daly City 1.9 mi 7.1

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 University Charter Modesto, CA 4.7
Aurora Elementary Los Angeles, CA 4.7
Belle Haven Elementary Menlo Park, CA 4.7
Blackford Elementary San Jose, CA 4.7
Box Springs Elementary Moreno Valley, CA 4.7
CALVARY MURRIETA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Murrieta, CA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunshine Gardens Elementary

What grades does Sunshine Gardens Elementary serve?

Sunshine Gardens Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sunshine Gardens Elementary?

Sunshine Gardens Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 334 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Gardens Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Gardens Elementary is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunshine Gardens Elementary rank in CA?

Sunshine Gardens Elementary ranks #7,769 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Sunshine Gardens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunshine Gardens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Sunshine Gardens Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunshine Gardens Elementary has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sunshine Gardens Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sunshine Gardens Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sunshine Gardens Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunshine Gardens Elementary?

45.2% of students at Sunshine Gardens 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
334
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
San Mateo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.6%

District

South San Francisco Unified
District Enrollment
7,770
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,850
District Rank
#12 of 15

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