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#4836 of 9,539 schools in CA

Thomas Olaeta Elementary

Elementary School · Atwater Elementary

2266 High St., Atwater, CA 95301

Enrollment

387

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,836 of 9,539

In Atwater

#5 of 11

public schools

In district

#5 of 9

Atwater Elementary

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Thomas Olaeta Elementary

6.3/10

Elementary School in Atwater · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shaffer Elementary

5.8/10

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

Elmer Wood Elementary

7.8/10

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

About Thomas Olaeta Elementary

Thomas Olaeta Elementary is a public elementary school in Atwater, CA, part of Atwater Elementary. Thomas Olaeta Elementary serves approximately 387 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Olaeta Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,836 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Olaeta Elementary show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Olaeta Elementary runs 24.2:1 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 Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism23.5%

Thomas Olaeta Elementary — Students at Thomas Olaeta Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 52.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
64%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
60%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
34.8%
ELA
43.3%
2024
Math
46.8%
ELA
50.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Thomas Olaeta Elementary Compares

See how Thomas Olaeta Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Elmer Wood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Merced), which scores notably higher. 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 5.8
Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater 0.7 mi 7.8
Mitchell Intermediate Atwater 0.7 mi 6.1
Bellevue Elementary Atwater 0.7 mi 6.4
Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater 0.7 mi 7.7
Mitchell Elementary Atwater 0.8 mi 5.7
Atwater Senior Academy Atwater 0.8 mi
Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater 1.1 mi 6.3
Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater 1.3 mi 7.0
Atwater High Atwater 1.3 mi 5.5
Buhach Colony High Atwater 1.3 mi 5.8
Valley Atwater Community Merced 1.5 mi 6.2
Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton 2.2 mi 8.3
Winton Middle Winton 2.2 mi 7.1
Winfield Elementary Winton 2.4 mi 7.3
Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton 2.7 mi 5.8
McSwain Elementary Merced 4.1 mi 5.4
Franklin Elementary Merced 3.6 mi 7.7
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arcata Elementary Arcata, CA 6.3
BAYMONTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotts Valley, CA 6.3
Balboa Elementary San Diego, CA 6.3
Bonsall West Elementary Oceanside, CA 6.3
C. C. Violette Elementary Garden Grove, CA 6.3
California Elementary La Puente, CA 6.3

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 ranks #4,836 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Thomas Olaeta Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Olaeta Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Thomas Olaeta Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Olaeta Elementary has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

District

Atwater Elementary
District Enrollment
4,959
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#5 of 9

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