Skip to main content

Below Average

#8622 of 9,533 schools in CA

Tomales Elementary

Elementary School · Shoreline Unified

PO Box 14, Tomales, CA 94971

Enrollment

153

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tomales

#2 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,137 of 5,817

In district

#4 of 4

Shoreline Unified

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Tomales Elementary

Tomales Elementary is a small rural school located in Tomales, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 153 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. The setting offers a close-knit community feel, where families are often involved in supporting each other and their children's education.

Academically, Tomales Elementary is currently ranked at the 18th percentile among California schools based on MySchoolScout’s rating system. With an ELA proficiency rate of 27% and math proficiency at 14%, there is room for improvement in these areas. However, the school focuses heavily on student development and provides a supportive environment to help each child thrive.

Tomales Elementary stands out as a nurturing rural community school where families are closely connected and work together to support their children’s educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 153 students, Tomales Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Tomales Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.7%
Math vs. State Avg-31 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$36,859

Tomales Elementary — Students at Tomales Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.2%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 26.8%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 17 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
12.4%
ELA
22.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Tomales Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in CA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 14, Tomales, CA 94971

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tomales Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Park Side Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Sebastopol), which scores notably higher. Another option is Inverness Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Point Reyes Station), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harmony Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Occidental), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tomales, see our Tomales schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Tomales High Tomales 0.4 mi 8.8
Two Rock Elementary Petaluma 6.7 mi 7.6
Salmon Creek School - A Charter Occidental 10.0 mi 6.0
Harmony Elementary Occidental 10.0 mi 7.9
PLEASANT HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sebastopol 9.9 mi 5.0
Twin Hills Charter Middle Sebastopol 9.9 mi 8.2
Apple Blossom Sebastopol 10.2 mi 6.2
Orchard View Sebastopol 10.2 mi 6.8
Inverness Elementary Point Reyes Station 10.5 mi 8.1
Hillcrest Middle Sebastopol 10.0 mi 7.1
Dunham Elementary Petaluma 9.4 mi
Dunham Charter Petaluma 9.4 mi 5.6
Gravenstein Elementary Sebastopol 10.2 mi 6.5
Gravenstein First Sebastopol 10.2 mi 7.1
Sunridge Charter Sebastopol 11.1 mi 6.7
Bodega Bay Elementary Bodega Bay 9.9 mi
Brook Haven Middle Sebastopol 11.3 mi 6.8
Park Side Elementary Sebastopol 11.4 mi 8.2
Sebastopol Independent Charter Sebastopol 12.1 mi 7.6
Analy High Sebastopol 11.9 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94971 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,375

Median Home Value

$880,000

Population

315

College Educated

62.8%

Homeownership

76.1%

Poverty Rate

38.4%

Median Age

62.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tomales Elementary has a median household income of $109,375. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $880,000. The area has a poverty rate of 38.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ARCATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcata, CA 4.3
FAITH CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Yuba City, CA 4.3
Los Robles Academy Hacienda Heights, CA 4.3
Monroe Elementary Fresno, CA 4.3
SANTA ROSA DE LIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Fernando, CA 4.3
ST EUGENE SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tomales Elementary

What grades does Tomales Elementary serve?

Tomales Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Tomales Elementary?

Tomales Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 153 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tomales Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Tomales Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tomales Elementary rank in CA?

Tomales Elementary is ranked #8622 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Tomales Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tomales Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Tomales Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tomales Elementary has 14.2% math proficiency and 26.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tomales Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Tomales Elementary a Title I school?

No, Tomales Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

73.9% of students at Tomales 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

County Safety
Low (187/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Marin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Shoreline Unified
District Enrollment
476
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$37,445
District Rank
#4 of 4

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.