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Below Average

#8767 of 9,533 schools in CA

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

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Maria

#27 of 30

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,236 of 5,817

In district

#18 of 21

Santa Maria-Bonita

About Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary

Tunnell (Martin Luther) Elementary serves 874 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Santa Maria, California. This regular public school operates with 40 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1. Academically, the school has significant room for growth, with 26% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 21% in mathematics across all grade levels.

Tunnell Elementary currently ranks in the 24th percentile among California elementary schools, positioning it at #7262 out of 9566 statewide. The school's MySchoolScout rating reflects these academic challenges, earning a 3.7 out of 10 overall. The school draws from a diverse community in the 93454 zip code area, where the median household income is $80,438 and median home values reach $434,300.

About 17% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This mid-size city location serves a population of over 41,000 residents. Tunnell Elementary operates within Santa Barbara County, providing educational services to families in an established Santa Maria neighborhood where the school continues working toward improved academic outcomes for its substantial student body.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary is 21.9:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26%
Math vs. State Avg-24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.8 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,410

Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary — Students at Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 29.0%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
31%
ELA
43%
2024
Math
21.4%
ELA
26.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.

How Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary Compares

See how Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in CA
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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. Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bruce (Robert) Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.4
Rice (William) Elementary Santa Maria 0.7 mi 3.4
Taylor (Ida Redmond) Elementary Santa Maria 0.8 mi 4.0
Pioneer Valley High Santa Maria 0.8 mi 5.2
Alvin Elementary Santa Maria 1.0 mi 4.0
AGAPE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Santa Maria 1.3 mi
El Camino Junior High Santa Maria 1.4 mi 4.9
Bruce (Robert) Elementary Santa Maria 1.6 mi 5.8
Miller (Isaac) Elementary Santa Maria 1.9 mi 5.7
Santa Maria High Santa Maria 2.0 mi 5.5
Trivium Charter Lompoc 2.2 mi 4.9
Fairlawn Elementary Santa Maria 2.0 mi 5.3
Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Santa Maria 2.0 mi 5.8
Battles (Washington) Elementary Santa Maria 2.4 mi 4.5
Bill Libbon Elementary Santa Maria 2.5 mi 5.7
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Santa Maria 2.1 mi 6.5
Eagles Christian Academy Santa Maria 2.2 mi
Kunst (Tommie) Junior High Santa Maria 2.4 mi 5.5
Adam (William Laird) Elementary Santa Maria 2.5 mi 4.5
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Santa Maria 2.5 mi 5.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary has a median household income of $84,178. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $477,600, with a median rent of $1,750/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Breeze Hill Elementary Vista, CA 4.1
California Avenue Elementary Riverbank, CA 4.1
Camino Real Elementary Jurupa Valley, CA 4.1
Castroville Elementary Castroville, CA 4.1
Dan O. Root Elementary Suisun City, CA 4.1
Desert Rose Elementary Palmdale, CA 4.1

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 is ranked #8767 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary has 23.0% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,611/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Maria). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Maria-Bonita
District Enrollment
17,165
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,207
District Rank
#18 of 21

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

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