San Rafael City Elementary, CA

Original Research by School Decision on San Rafael City Elementary

San Rafael City Elementary is a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade district in Marin County serving a community in the San Rafael area. The district operates nine schools and enrolls a substantial population across its grade span, with strong representation from students of Hispanic background, along with white, Asian, and multiracial students. The district's composition reflects the broader demographics of San Rafael's more economically diverse neighborhoods.

The housing market in the district's service area is expensive. Home values have declined slightly year-over-year, and while median rents remain elevated, the cost of housing relative to median household income stands well above national benchmarks. This economic context shapes the families the district serves: some are established in the region, while others are navigating significant affordability pressure.

Academic performance across the district shows consistent challenge. In English language arts, proficiency across all tested grades sits in the lower-middle range, with rates generally hovering below the midpoint of state standards across third through eighth grade. Mathematics proficiency is lower still, with particularly weak results in the middle grades; sixth and eighth grade math proficiency rates fall notably below those in English language arts. Science proficiency data, available for fifth and eighth grades, also sits below the midpoint. On the most recent comparable social studies assessment available, eighth-grade performance was stronger, suggesting uneven student readiness across subjects. Overall, the district ranks in the bottom quartile among Marin County's districts on proficiency across tested subjects and grades. A parent may want to look into the district's specific intervention strategies and any recent shifts in instructional approach when evaluating fit.

Chronic absenteeism sits above the county median, a factor that often correlates with broader support needs and economic instability in a school-age population.

The district has secured two major financial commitments that shape its near-term trajectory. A parcel tax approved in 2021 provides ongoing local funding dedicated to academic programs, small class sizes, and teacher retention, though it raises property tax bills for homeowners and renters who absorb higher housing costs. A bond program approved for facility modernization has entered its construction phase. Starting in summer 2026, the vast majority of the district's elementary and middle schools will be simultaneously under construction, a scale of disruption that is historically unusual for the district. Families enrolling in the coming school year should expect significant facility disruption and noise, alongside the eventual benefit of modernized buildings. Some construction may extend into fall, and all elementary and middle school facilities will be closed to outside users June through early September 2026.

The district's academic performance and chronic absenteeism data suggest a student population facing real barriers to consistent engagement and proficiency. The parcel tax and facility investments signal a district attempting to strengthen the foundation it offers. For families considering this district, the question is whether these efforts will yield measurable improvement in student outcomes and whether the construction period aligns with their family's tolerance for disruption.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

4,356

Grades

KG–08

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 71%

Black 1%

White 21%

Asian 2%

Two+ 4%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

27%

—

Gr 3

20%

73%

Gr 4

27%

78%

Gr 5

29%

83%

Gr 6

28%

76%

Gr 7

28%

82%

Gr 8

31%

79%

Math

Gr ALL

22%

—

Gr 3

26%

79%

Gr 4

30%

82%

Gr 5

21%

76%

Gr 6

14%

68%

Gr 7

17%

77%

Gr 8

22%

65%

Science

Gr 5

13%

70%

Gr 8

14%

67%

Gr HS

13%

—

Schools in this District

9 schools are officially reported under this district.

Bahia Vista Elementary

Coleman Elementary

Venetia Valley K-8

Glenwood Elementary

James B. Davidson Middle

Sun Valley Elementary

Laurel Dell Elementary

San Pedro Elementary

Old Gallinas

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

39%

Grade 3

43%

Grade 4

35%

Grade 5

26%

Grade 6

32%

Grade 7

32%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

33%

Grade 3

40%

Grade 4

43%

Grade 5

39%

Grade 6

41%

Grade 7

42%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

27%

Grade 5

26%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

66%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$1.41M

Year-over-year change-0.1%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$1.3M to $4.1M

vs. state typical1.82x

vs. national typical3.83x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
94901	San Rafael	$1.4M	-0.6%	76.2%
94903	San Rafael	$1.3M	+1.3%	19.4%
94939	Larkspur	$2.2M	+3.5%	1.6%
94960	San Anselmo	$1.7M	+3.3%	0.2%
94957	Ross	$4.1M	+4.1%	0.1%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,943/mo

Year-over-year change+4.0%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$2,875 to $3,697/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
94901	San Rafael	$2,875	+4.2%	76.2%
94903	San Rafael	$3,142	+3.4%	19.4%
94939	Larkspur	$3,697	+3.4%	1.6%
94960	San Anselmo	$3,695	—	0.2%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$7,118/mo

Home price / national median income16.9x

Annual rent / national median income42.2%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$4,175/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.