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
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Tamalpais Valley Elementary — Students at Tamalpais Valley Elementary score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
5.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 88.82% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 84.21% (2024).
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 |
Compare Tamalpais Valley Elementary with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (415) 389-7731
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mill Valley Elementary- District Enrollment
- 2,282
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,244
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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