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Average

#814 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 45% of private schools

Wishing Well School

Elementary School

880 MANZANITA DR, Los Osos, CA 93402

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

119

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#465 of 1,102

About Wishing Well School

Wishing Well School serves 119 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the coastal community of Los Osos. With an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and 15 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public elementary school provides an intimate learning environment where each child can receive personalized attention. The school has earned strong recognition, ranking #493 out of 1,790 California schools and placing in the 72nd percentile statewide, with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a supportive small-school setting. Wishing Well School draws from a well-established community where families value education, as evidenced by the 46% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood features a median household income of $92,174 and relatively low poverty rates at 9.3%, creating a stable foundation for student learning.

Located on Manzanita Drive, the school sits in Los Osos, a charming town on the fringe of the San Luis Obispo urban area. This unique setting offers students the benefits of small-town community life while maintaining access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 119 students, Wishing Well School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Wishing Well School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Wishing Well School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Wishing Well School compares to the 3 public schools in Los Osos, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
This School
vs
19.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
119
This School
vs
387
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
8.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 72.3% vs 0%
Asian 18.5% vs 0%
Black 6.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.5% vs 0%
Wishing Well School Los Osos Public Avg

All Schools in Los Osos

School Rating
Wishing Well School (this school) 6.4
Monarch Grove Elementary 8.9
Baywood Elementary 8.3
Los Osos Middle 7.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 3.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,105
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 44%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 119
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 72.3%
Asian 18.5%
Black 6.7%
Hispanic 2.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

880 MANZANITA DR, Los Osos, CA 93402

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wishing Well School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C L Smith Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby San Luis Obispo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monarch Grove Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cayucos Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Cayucos), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Los Osos, see our Los Osos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Coast Waldorf Los Osos 0.0 mi
Monarch Grove Elementary Los Osos 0.8 mi 8.9
Baywood Elementary Los Osos 1.2 mi 8.3
Los Osos Middle Los Osos 1.4 mi 7.3
Morro Bay High Morro Bay 5.2 mi 8.6
Del Mar Elementary Morro Bay 6.1 mi 8.2
San Luis County Special Education San Luis Obispo 5.5 mi
San Luis Obispo County Community San Luis Obispo 5.8 mi 6.2
Grizzly ChalleNGe Charter San Luis Obispo 6.0 mi 6.3
San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court San Luis Obispo 6.6 mi
CHRIST CLASSICAL SCHOOL San Luis Obispo 7.4 mi 6.1
Laguna Middle San Luis Obispo 8.5 mi 7.1
Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo 8.5 mi 5.3
C L Smith Elementary San Luis Obispo 8.9 mi 9.0
Cayucos Elementary Cayucos 10.6 mi 8.4
Pacific Beach High San Luis Obispo 9.2 mi 4.7
Pacheco Elementary San Luis Obispo 9.0 mi 7.8
Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter San Luis Obispo 10.6 mi 6.0
Lindamood-Bell Academy San Luis Obispo 9.6 mi
OLD MISSION SCHOOL San Luis Obispo 9.7 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,839

Median Home Value

$729,200

Median Rent

$1,909/mo

Population

15,085

College Educated

50.1%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

47.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wishing Well School has a median household income of $103,839. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $729,200, with a median rent of $1,909/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL South El Monte, CA 6.4
GOOD SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pacifica, CA 6.4
LA PURISIMA SCHOOL Orange, CA 6.4
Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms, CA 6.4
Leona Valley Elementary Leona Valley, CA 6.4
NEW HORIZONS SCHOOL Newark, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wishing Well School

What grades does Wishing Well School serve?

Wishing Well School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Wishing Well School?

Wishing Well School has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wishing Well School?

The student-teacher ratio at Wishing Well School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Wishing Well School rank in CA?

Wishing Well School is ranked #814 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Wishing Well School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wishing Well School has a composite rating of 6.4 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.

Is Wishing Well School a private school?

Yes, Wishing Well School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Wishing Well School a religious school?

No, Wishing Well School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
119
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Fringe Town
County
SAN LUIS OBISPO
Data Year
2022–2023

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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