J. M. Amador Elementary, Dublin CA

Original Research by School Decision on J. M. Amador Elementary

J. M. Amador Elementary is a public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Dublin, a rapidly growing suburban city in Alameda County's Tri-Valley region. The school sits in East Cantara Drive in an area shaped by master-planned residential communities and ongoing development. Dublin itself has been one of California's fastest-growing cities, with population and housing growth concentrated in planned neighborhoods on the eastern side of the city, which means the school serves families in a dynamic, expanding community.

The school's academic results are notably strong. In math proficiency across tested grades, performance ranges from the upper eighties to the mid-nineties, with third graders posting the highest results. English language arts proficiency is consistently in the high eighties and low nineties across grades three through five. Science proficiency in fifth grade is solid at nearly eighty percent. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among Alameda County school districts, a meaningful distinction that reflects consistent strength in both reading and mathematics. Only one year of state testing data is available, so trend information is not yet present, but the current snapshot shows students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards at high rates.

The school's enrollment is stable at roughly one thousand students, distributed across six grades from kindergarten through fifth. The student body is demographically homogeneous; the large majority of students are Asian, with small populations of other races and ethnicities. Only a minimal share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, pointing to a relatively affluent student population. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status was not available, so the full profile of student needs remains unknown.

The broader context matters for a family considering this school. Dublin's housing market is expensive; the median home value in the area is well above state and national benchmarks, and monthly rents also run above typical California levels. This reflects the city's position as a regional employment and residential destination, with major employers including office and technology companies attracted by proximity to Silicon Valley. The school's enrollment growth aligns with Dublin's explosive residential development. The Dublin Unified School District recently passed a general obligation bond that will fund capital projects including a new middle school and the completion of a second high school, Emerald, which opened in 2023-24. These are long-term property tax obligations that homebuyers in the district shoulder.

The district also completed a teacher contract in 2026 that reduced class sizes in elementary grades and ensured counselors at every primary school. For a kindergarten through fifth grade parent, this means somewhat smaller classes than before and access to a counselor at the school site.

J. M. Amador serves as a solid elementary option in a high-achieving district within a prosperous, growing community. Strong test performance and an affluent peer environment are the defining features. A prospective family would likely want to visit the school, ask about program offerings and enrichment, and confirm that the school's culture and instructional approach align with their goals.

See more original research from School Decision →

Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 397%

School 97% · District 81% · ▲ 16 pts above district

▲ 54 pts above state median · ▲ 42 pts above county median

Grade 487%

School 87% · District 82% · ▲ 6 pts above district

▲ 50 pts above state median · ▲ 37 pts above county median

Grade 587%

School 87% · District 75% · ▲ 12 pts above district

▲ 56 pts above state median · ▲ 45 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 388%

School 88% · District 74% · ▲ 14 pts above district

▲ 47 pts above state median · ▲ 38 pts above county median

Grade 487%

School 87% · District 78% · ▲ 9 pts above district

▲ 45 pts above state median · ▲ 33 pts above county median

Grade 591%

School 91% · District 81% · ▲ 9 pts above district

▲ 45 pts above state median · ▲ 34 pts above county median

Science

Grade 580%

School 80% · District 68% · ▲ 12 pts above district

▲ 52 pts above state median · ▲ 40 pts above county median

This schoolDublin Unified, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 3Lower-income73%Higher-income89%16 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income87%Higher-income91%4 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 3Lower-income87%Higher-income98%11 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income73%Higher-income88%15 pp gap