Very Good
#2380 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 25% in state
Thomas Olaeta Elementary
Elementary School · Atwater Elementary
2266 High St., Atwater, CA 95301
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Atwater
#1 of 11
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,627 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 9
Atwater Elementary
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas Olaeta Elementary
Thomas Olaeta Elementary is a regular public school located in Atwater, California, within Merced County. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 387 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 24.2:1 and 16 full-time equivalent teachers, Thomas Olaeta Elementary aims to provide personalized learning experiences for its pupils.
The academic performance at Thomas Olaeta Elementary places it in the 71st percentile among California schools, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. In reading and ELA, 52% of students are proficient or above, while 46% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate that there is room for growth and improvement in academic performance.
Set within a mid-size suburb, Thomas Olaeta Elementary benefits from the supportive community environment of Atwater. The school's setting allows it to foster strong connections between families, teachers, and students, contributing to a nurturing educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Olaeta Elementary is 24.2:1, 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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Thomas Olaeta Elementary — Students at Thomas Olaeta Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78%
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.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.
How Thomas Olaeta Elementary Compares
See how Thomas Olaeta Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 46.45% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 50.48% (2024).
Location
2266 High St., Atwater, CA 95301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Olaeta Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frank Sparkes Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Merced), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sybil N. Crookham Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Winton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Atwater, see our Atwater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shaffer Elementary Atwater | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Mitchell Intermediate Atwater | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Bellevue Elementary Atwater | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Mitchell Elementary Atwater | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Atwater Senior Academy Atwater | 0.8 mi | — |
| Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Atwater High Atwater | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Buhach Colony High Atwater | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Valley Atwater Community Merced | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Winton Middle Winton | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Winfield Elementary Winton | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| McSwain Elementary Merced | 4.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin Elementary Merced | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| GRACE MENNONITE SCHOOL Winton | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced | 3.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,669
Median Home Value
$367,800
Median Rent
$1,215/mo
Population
42,374
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
56.7%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Olaeta Elementary has a median household income of $66,669. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,800, with a median rent of $1,215/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA | 7.4 |
| Adelante Dual Language Academy II San Jose, CA | 7.4 |
| Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA | 7.4 |
| Anna Yates Elementary Emeryville, CA | 7.4 |
| Audubon Elementary Foster City, CA | 7.4 |
| BLACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL Berkeley, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Olaeta Elementary
What grades does Thomas Olaeta Elementary serve?
Thomas Olaeta Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Thomas Olaeta Elementary?
Thomas Olaeta Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Olaeta Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Olaeta Elementary is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Olaeta Elementary rank in CA?
Thomas Olaeta Elementary is ranked #2380 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Thomas Olaeta Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Olaeta Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Thomas Olaeta Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Olaeta Elementary has 45.7% math proficiency and 51.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Olaeta Elementary a charter school?
No, Thomas Olaeta Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Olaeta Elementary a Title I school?
No, Thomas Olaeta Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Olaeta Elementary?
78.0% of students at Thomas Olaeta 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Atwater). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 387
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 357-6148
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Atwater Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,959
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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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