Needs Improvement
#9198 of 9,533 schools in CA
Taft Elementary
Elementary School · Redwood City Elementary
903 Tenth Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Redwood City
#31 of 34
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,555 of 5,817
In district
#10 of 12
Redwood City Elementary
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Taft Elementary
Taft Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Redwood City, California, nestled in the heart of San Mateo County. With an enrollment of 341 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1, Taft Elementary offers a community-focused environment where each child can receive individual attention from its team of 16 full-time equivalent teachers. While the school's MySchoolScout rating of 2.5/10 suggests areas for academic growth, the staff at Taft is dedicated to supporting student development and fostering a nurturing learning atmosphere.
Taft Elementary covers kindergarten through fifth grade, making it an essential part of Redwood City’s educational landscape. The school aims to provide a strong foundation in core subjects like English language arts (ELA) and math, though recent data shows that 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA and 16% in math. Despite these challenges, the faculty continues to work towards enhancing academic performance while maintaining a supportive community environment.
Located in a small city setting within Redwood City, Taft Elementary is surrounded by local amenities and parks, offering a vibrant backdrop for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary is 21.3:1, 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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Taft Elementary — Students at Taft Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.
How Taft Elementary Compares
See how Taft Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 12.99% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 19.54% (2024).
Location
903 Tenth Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Taft Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Laurel Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Atherton), which scores notably higher. Another option is BEECHWOOD SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Menlo Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Encinal Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Atherton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Redwood City, see our Redwood City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Synapse School Menlo Park | 0.4 mi | — |
| Stanford Online High School Redwood City | 0.5 mi | — |
| STANFORD ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL Redwood City | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| KIPP Excelencia Community Preparatory Redwood City | 0.6 mi | 4.0 |
| WHERRY ACADEMY Redwood City | 0.7 mi | — |
| Connect Community Charter Redwood City | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Everest Public High Redwood City | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Garfield Elementary Menlo Park | 0.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Summit Preparatory Charter High Redwood City | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Encinal Elementary Atherton | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Tide Academy Redwood City | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Hoover Elementary Redwood City | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Redwood City | 1.2 mi | — |
| Nativity Catholic School K-8 Menlo Park | 1.6 mi | — |
| NATIVITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Menlo Park | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| MENLO SCHOOL Atherton | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Laurel Elementary Atherton | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Menlo Atherton | 1.8 mi | — |
| BEECHWOOD SCHOOL Menlo Park | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Menlo-Atherton High Atherton | 1.7 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94063 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,528
Median Home Value
$1,077,100
Median Rent
$2,802/mo
Population
34,695
College Educated
35.1%
Homeownership
31.5%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Taft Elementary has a median household income of $115,528. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,077,100, with a median rent of $2,802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| East Oakland Pride Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.6 |
| Empire Elementary Empire, CA | 3.6 |
| Glen View Elementary Gilroy, CA | 3.6 |
| H. W. Harkness Elementary Sacramento, CA | 3.6 |
| High Tech Elementary Chula Vista San Diego, CA | 3.6 |
| Laurel Elementary San Mateo, CA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Taft Elementary
What grades does Taft Elementary serve?
Taft Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Taft Elementary?
Taft Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 341 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Taft Elementary rank in CA?
Taft Elementary is ranked #9198 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Taft Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Taft Elementary has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Taft Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft Elementary has 16.0% math proficiency and 22.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Taft Elementary a charter school?
No, Taft Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Taft Elementary a Title I school?
No, Taft Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Taft Elementary?
89.7% of students at Taft 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
- City Safety
- High (2,120/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Redwood City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 341
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 482-2416
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Redwood City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 6,332
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,911
- District Rank
- #10 of 12
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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