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
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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 12 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: 3.0/10.
How Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary Compares
See how Tunnell (martin Luther) Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 21.11% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 25.98% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (805) 361-7940
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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