Excellent
#1446 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 15% in state
Valencia Elementary
Elementary School · Pajaro Valley Unified
250 Aptos School Rd., Aptos, CA 95003
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,446 of 9,539
In Aptos
#1 of 6
public schools
In district
#2 of 33
Pajaro Valley Unified
Equity
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Valencia Elementary
Elementary School in Aptos · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Seacliff Academy
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chrysostom Classical Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valencia Elementary
Valencia Elementary is a public elementary school in Aptos, CA, part of Pajaro Valley Unified. Valencia Elementary serves approximately 487 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Valencia Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,446 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Valencia Elementary show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- District avg 4.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Valencia Elementary runs 20.3:1 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.
32% of students at Valencia Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Valencia Elementary — Students at Valencia Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How Valencia Elementary Compares
See how Valencia 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
250 Aptos School Rd., Aptos, CA 95003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valencia Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Main Street Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Soquel), with a comparable rating. Another option is Soquel Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Soquel), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mountain Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Soquel), a more accessible option. For more schools in Aptos, see our Aptos schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Seacliff Academy Aptos | 0.6 mi | — |
| Chrysostom Classical Academy Aptos | 0.7 mi | — |
| Aptos Junior High Aptos | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| ORCHARD SCHOOL Aptos | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Mar Vista Elementary Aptos | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Rio del Mar Elementary Aptos | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Delta Charter Aptos | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Aptos High Aptos | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| TWIN LAKES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aptos | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy Aptos | 2.1 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz Montessori School Wavecrest Junior High Soquel | 2.4 mi | — |
| New Brighton Middle Capitola | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Tara Redwood School Soquel | 3.2 mi | — |
| Main Street Elementary Soquel | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Soquel Elementary Soquel | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Opal Cliffs Capitola | 3.6 mi | — |
| Soquel High Soquel | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Renaissance High Continuation La Selva Beach | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Mountain Elementary Soquel | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| MERIT ACADEMY Santa Cruz | 4.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,990
Median Home Value
$1,154,000
Median Rent
$2,548/mo
Population
24,708
College Educated
54.5%
Homeownership
72.2%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
48.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Amelia Earhart Elementary Alameda, CA | 8.1 |
| Armona Elementary Armona, CA | 8.1 |
| Bathgate Elementary Mission Viejo, CA | 8.1 |
| Baywood Elementary Los Osos, CA | 8.1 |
| Blossom Hill Elementary Los Gatos, CA | 8.1 |
| Bryant Ranch Elementary Yorba Linda, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valencia Elementary
What grades does Valencia Elementary serve?
Valencia Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Valencia Elementary?
Valencia Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 487 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valencia Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Valencia Elementary is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valencia Elementary rank in CA?
Valencia Elementary ranks #1,446 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Valencia Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Valencia Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Valencia Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valencia Elementary has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Valencia Elementary a charter school?
No, Valencia Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valencia Elementary a Title I school?
No, Valencia Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valencia Elementary?
36.3% of students at Valencia 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 487
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.6%
- Phone
- (831) 728-7836
Resources & Links
District
Pajaro Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 17,013
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,409
- District Rank
- #2 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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