Lafayette Elementary, CA

Original Research by School Decision on Lafayette Elementary

Lafayette Elementary School District serves kindergarten through eighth grade across a small family-oriented region in Contra Costa County. The district operates five elementary schools and one middle school, covering the communities of Lafayette, Moraga, and bordering areas. This is a stable, affluent locale where academic performance remains consistently strong across the elementary grades, though a significant fiscal challenge shadows the district's near-term outlook.

The district's academic standing reflects solid proficiency across both English language arts and mathematics in the elementary grades. In ELA, proficiency across all tested grades averages in the low eighties, with particularly strong results in grade five. Math proficiency similarly clusters in the low eighties through grade six, then declines noticeably in grades seven and eight, where rates drop into the mid-seventies. Science proficiency at grade five sits at a reasonable level, but proficiency in grade eight science is considerably lower, which may signal a transition challenge as students move into middle school content. Social studies data from an earlier assessment cycle showed solid performance at grade eight. Overall, the district ranks in the top quartile among Contra Costa County districts on a proficiency index that aggregates results across tested subjects and grades.

Chronic absenteeism in the district is exceptionally low, placing it well above most peers countywide. This reflects strong family and community engagement, a hallmark of the district's culture.

Student enrollment is moderate for the grade span, with kindergarten as the largest cohort. The student body is predominantly white, with meaningful representation of Asian and multiracial students, and a smaller population of Hispanic students. Demographic data on free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility and English learners were not available in the records provided.

The community itself is characterized by high property values and a strong housing market. Home values in the primary service area are well above state and national medians, and rental costs are correspondingly elevated. Families considering the district should factor in a significant annual parcel tax burden. Two existing property taxes support schools, and a third measure was on the ballot in mid-2026 that, if passed, would increase the total school parcel tax considerably. Senior exemptions are available. This tax structure is a permanent cost consideration for homeowners and renters alike in the area.

A more immediate concern for families is the district's ongoing budget deficit. The district has implemented substantial savings across multiple years and faces additional reductions ahead. Leadership has stated that cuts are being absorbed mostly outside school sites to protect classroom programs, and one-time funds were used in the current year to avoid staff layoffs. However, the trajectory of deficit spending and the necessity of continuing reductions over coming years represent genuine uncertainty about program stability and resource availability. Parents may want to look into the district's financial recovery plan and timeline with school officials, as sustained budget pressure often eventually reaches classrooms in ways that are hard to predict.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

3,212

Grades

KG–08

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 10%

Black 0%

White 54%

Asian 14%

Two+ 22%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

67%

—

Gr 3

65%

85%

Gr 4

71%

81%

Gr 5

72%

89%

Gr 6

69%

84%

Gr 7

67%

75%

Gr 8

57%

72%

Math

Gr ALL

59%

—

Gr 3

65%

90%

Gr 4

73%

81%

Gr 5

53%

83%

Gr 6

62%

82%

Gr 7

50%

77%

Gr 8

52%

74%

Science

Gr 5

37%

73%

Gr 8

48%

56%

Gr HS

43%

—

Schools in this District

6 schools are officially reported under this district.

Burton Valley Elementary

Happy Valley Elementary

Lafayette Elementary

M. H. Stanley Middle

Springhill Elementary

Lafayette Early Intervention Preschool

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

89%

Grade 3

81%

Grade 4

82%

Grade 5

81%

Grade 6

76%

Grade 7

73%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

84%

Grade 3

80%

Grade 4

88%

Grade 5

83%

Grade 6

75%

Grade 7

71%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

71%

Grade 5

55%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

81%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$1.91M

Year-over-year change-0.5%

Range across 6 ZIP codes$698K to $2.0M

vs. state typical2.46x

vs. national typical5.19x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (6 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
94549	Lafayette	$2.0M	-0.4%	92.3%
94556	Moraga	$1.7M	-0.9%	4.2%
94595	Walnut Creek	$698K	-3.2%	1.8%
94597	Walnut Creek	$1.0M	-1.5%	1.6%
94583	San Ramon	$1.4M	-6.9%	0.1%
94553	Martinez	$774K	-4.3%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$3,523/mo

Year-over-year change+3.8%

Range across 6 ZIP codes$2,372 to $3,731/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (6 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
94549	Lafayette	$3,544	+3.8%	92.3%
94556	Moraga	$3,731	—	4.2%
94595	Walnut Creek	$2,649	—	1.8%
94597	Walnut Creek	$2,791	+4.1%	1.6%
94583	San Ramon	$2,816	+3.4%	0.1%
94553	Martinez	$2,372	+1.9%	0.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$9,645/mo

Home price / national median income22.8x

Annual rent / national median income50.5%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$6,122/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.