Average
#3850 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 40% in state
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Maria-Bonita
1248 East Dena Way, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,850 of 9,539
In Santa Maria
#9 of 30
public schools
In district
#4 of 21
Santa Maria-Bonita
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary
Elementary School in Santa Maria · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fesler (isaac) Junior High
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rice (william) Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary is a public elementary school in Santa Maria, CA, part of Santa Maria-Bonita. Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary serves approximately 874 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,850 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 6.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary runs 21.9:1 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary — Students at Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary Compares
See how Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1248 East Dena Way, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bill Libbon Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sanchez (David J.) Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fesler (Isaac) Junior High Santa Maria | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Rice (William) Elementary Santa Maria | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary Santa Maria | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Pioneer Valley High Santa Maria | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Alvin Elementary Santa Maria | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria | 1.3 mi | — |
| El Camino Junior High Santa Maria | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Miller (Isaac) Elementary Santa Maria | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Santa Maria High Santa Maria | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Trivium Charter Lompoc | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria | 2.2 mi | — |
| Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93454 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,178
Median Home Value
$477,600
Median Rent
$1,750/mo
Population
41,710
College Educated
17.8%
Homeownership
53.1%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Median Age
31.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula, CA | 6.8 |
| Arthur Hapgood Elementary Lompoc, CA | 6.8 |
| Barranca Elementary Covina, CA | 6.8 |
| Bridgeport Elementary Valencia, CA | 6.8 |
| Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco, CA | 6.8 |
| Castle View Elementary Riverside, CA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary
What grades does Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary serve?
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary?
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 874 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary rank in CA?
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary ranks #3,850 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary a charter school?
No, Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary a Title I school?
No, Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary?
79.5% of students at Tunnell (martin Luther) 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 874
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.1%
- Phone
- (805) 361-7940
Resources & Links
District
Santa Maria-Bonita- District Enrollment
- 17,165
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,207
- District Rank
- #4 of 21
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