The top reported proficiency rate is 85% in English language arts. The lowest is 62% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Donald L. Rheem Elementary
Donald L. Rheem Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Moraga, a small, affluent, semi-rural community in the Lamorinda area of Contra Costa County. The school sits within a quiet, family-oriented residential setting of single-family homes and open space, with access to extensive parks and trails including the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail. Like the town itself, the area is car-dependent, though the community feels cohesive and place-focused around schools, parks, and Saint Mary's College.
The school's academic performance is a clear strength. Across tested grades, math proficiency holds solidly in the mid-to-high range in grades three and four, though fifth-grade math proficiency dips notably. English language arts proficiency is consistently strong, particularly in grade four. Science proficiency in fifth grade sits lower. Overall, the school's combined proficiency index places it in the top quartile among Contra Costa County school districts, a meaningful marker of academic standing in the county. Only one year of state assessment data is available, so trend information is not yet available to assess growth or stability over time.
The student body is demographically mixed, with families of white, Asian, and multiracial backgrounds each representing a substantial share, along with a smaller Hispanic population. A small portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the neighborhood's general economic stability. Data on English learners and special education enrollment were not available.
The enrollment is roughly in line with typical elementary schools in the district, spread across six grades. The school is part of the Moraga Elementary School District, a small public district serving four elementary and one intermediate school. Families in this district currently navigate active, voter-approved funding efforts. In March 2024, voters approved a facilities bond to fund school modernization and infrastructure repairs across district schools, adding a property tax obligation. In June 2026, voters approved a new annual parcel tax to retain teachers, fund counselors and academic programs, and prevent classroom cuts. These taxes layer on existing parcel taxes, creating a meaningful ongoing cost for homeowners. The district has publicly stated it ranks low among California districts in state per-pupil funding, which is the backdrop for local levy reliance.
Housing in the Moraga zip code is high-cost. Median home values are substantially above state benchmarks, and rental costs are also elevated, with rent consuming a significant share of typical household income. A family considering this area should expect both the premium associated with an affluent suburb and the property tax context the district has created to sustain schools.
The school itself operates as a regular public elementary school with no special charter or magnet designation. Beyond state assessment results, detailed program and staffing information was not available. A parent considering Rheem Elementary may want to contact the school directly to learn about specific offerings, classroom configurations, intervention and enrichment pathways, and current staffing levels, given the district's stated per-pupil funding challenges and recent levy activity.
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