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Excellent

#83 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 1% in state

Tamalpais Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Mill Valley Elementary

350 Bell Ln., Mill Valley, CA 94941

Enrollment

335

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mill Valley

#1 of 7

public schools

California elementary schools

#72 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 6

Mill Valley Elementary

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Tamalpais Valley Elementary

Tamalpais Valley Elementary ranks first among Mill Valley's seven public schools and sits in the top 1% of all public schools statewide — performance that earns it an Exceptional composite score of 9.3 out of 10. Few California elementary schools land higher on either measure. Academic scores drive that standing.

Tamalpais Valley posts a 9.6 out of 10 on academics, placing it 72nd among California's 5,817 elementary schools — a figure that reflects sustained high outcomes across grades K through 5, not a single strong year. Growth scores reach 9.3, indicating students make strong measurable gains regardless of where they start, which separates high-performing schools from ones that simply serve high-income populations. The school enrolls 335 students at a student-teacher ratio of 19.7 to 1.

As a regular public school, it requires no application, lottery, or tuition. Parents comparing elementary options in Mill Valley will find no public school in the city that outscores it — and only 71 elementary schools in the entire state that rank above it. For families prioritizing academic results and demonstrated student growth, Tamalpais Valley Elementary is the clear benchmark in this market.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.2%
Math vs. State Avg+43.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.4 pts
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,900

Tamalpais Valley Elementary — Students at Tamalpais Valley Elementary score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

5.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 87.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 84.0%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
80%
ELA
83%
2024
Math
88.9%
ELA
84.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.

How Tamalpais Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in CA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
5%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

350 Bell Ln., Mill Valley, CA 94941

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tamalpais Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Park Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Sausalito), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Strawberry Point Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mill Valley, see our Mill Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Terra Marin School Mill Valley 0.8 mi
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy Sausalito 0.8 mi 8.9
Mount Tamalpais School Mill Valley 1.1 mi
MOUNT TAMALPAIS SCHOOL Mill Valley 1.1 mi 6.9
Tamalpais High Mill Valley 1.2 mi 8.8
THE NEW VILLAGE SCHOOL Sausalito 1.3 mi 6.0
The New Village School Sausalito 1.3 mi
Mill Valley Middle Mill Valley 1.6 mi 8.6
Lycee Francais de San Francisco (Sausalito) Sausalito 1.3 mi
MARIN HORIZON SCHOOL Mill Valley 1.8 mi 7.5
Marin Horizon School Mill Valley 1.8 mi
THE HELIX SCHOOL Mill Valley 2.1 mi
Park Elementary Mill Valley 2.1 mi 9.0
Strawberry Point Elementary Mill Valley 2.0 mi 8.9
Edna Maguire Elementary Mill Valley 2.4 mi 6.4
TERRA MARIN SCHOOL Mill Valley 2.4 mi 7.9
North Bridge Academy Mill Valley 2.5 mi
NORTH BRIDGE ACADEMY Mill Valley 2.5 mi 6.0
Old Mill Elementary Mill Valley 2.6 mi 7.8
Bel Aire Elementary Tiburon 2.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$210,217

Median Home Value

$1,990,100

Median Rent

$2,949/mo

Population

32,349

College Educated

76.9%

Homeownership

66.6%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

45.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tamalpais Valley Elementary has a median household income of $210,217. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,990,100, with a median rent of $2,949/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
BOWMAN SCHOOL Palo Alto, CA 9.3
Banyan Elementary Newbury Park, CA 9.3
Brockton Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 9.3
Compton Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 9.3
Duff Language Magnet Academy Rosemead, CA 9.3
Eagle Prairie Elementary Rio Dell, CA 9.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tamalpais Valley Elementary

What grades does Tamalpais Valley Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Tamalpais Valley Elementary?

Tamalpais Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 335 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Tamalpais Valley Elementary is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tamalpais Valley Elementary rank in CA?

Tamalpais Valley Elementary is ranked #83 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Tamalpais Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tamalpais Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Tamalpais Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tamalpais Valley Elementary has 87.1% math proficiency and 84.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tamalpais Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Tamalpais Valley Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

5.4% of students at Tamalpais 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,120/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mill Valley). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Tamalpais Valley Elementary stack up?

Strawberry Point Elementary
8.9
Park Elementary
9.0
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
5.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Marin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mill Valley Elementary
District Enrollment
2,282
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,244
District Rank
#1 of 6

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

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