Rachel Carson Elementary, San Jose CA

Original Research by School Decision on Rachel Carson Elementary

Rachel Carson Elementary is a small kindergarten-through-fifth-grade public school in San Jose, serving about this age range. The school sits in a mixed residential and commercial area of the city, in the 95136 zip code on the city's east side.

The student body reflects San Jose's diversity. About half the enrollment is Hispanic, with substantial populations of Asian and white students and smaller representation of Black and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating economic diversity within the school's community. The school's enrollment skews slightly younger, with kindergarten being the largest grade.

On California's state assessments, Rachel Carson's results are below the midpoint among Santa Clara County's districts. In English language arts, proficiency ranges from about one-fifth of third graders meeting standards to about two-fifths of fourth graders. In math, third graders scored similarly low, fourth graders reached about two-fifths proficient, and fifth graders dropped back to about one-quarter. Science proficiency in fifth grade was the weakest area at about one-fifth. These patterns suggest the school faces headwinds in academic achievement, particularly in foundational math and science competencies. A parent may want to look into what instructional supports or interventions are in place for students who are not meeting grade-level benchmarks.

San Jose Unified, the district, is undergoing significant changes. In March 2026, the board voted to close five elementary schools including nearby neighborhoods, though Rachel Carson was not among those targeted. That said, the district has experienced declining enrollment over the past decade related to higher costs of living and demographic shifts. In November 2024, voters approved Measure R, a major facilities bond that will raise property taxes to fund building improvements and teacher housing; for a family buying in the area, this represents a long-term local tax obligation worth understanding.

The neighborhood around Rachel Carson is suburban and car-dependent, typical of broader San Jose residential areas away from downtown. Housing values in the 95136 zip are substantially above the state average and the national median, and rents have edged up slightly. The area is part of Silicon Valley's tech economy but lacks the walkability and transit density of downtown or historic neighborhoods like Willow Glen and Japantown. It is mainly single-family residential with tree-lined streets and a suburban feel.

Rachel Carson is a traditional public school, not a charter or magnet. It offers a standard elementary curriculum without specialized programs noted in the available data. The school serves its neighborhood population directly; there is no choice or application required.

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Academic performance

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

Math

Grade 324%

School 24% · District 48% · ▼ 24 pts below district

▼ 19 pts below state median · ▼ 33 pts below county median

Grade 439%

School 39% · District 46% · ▼ 7 pts below district

▲ 1 pts above state median · ▼ 15 pts below county median

Grade 525%

School 25% · District 42% · ▼ 17 pts below district

▼ 5 pts below state median · ▼ 22 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 321%

School 21% · District 44% · ▼ 24 pts below district

▼ 20 pts below state median · ▼ 32 pts below county median

Grade 442%

School 42% · District 47% · ▼ 4 pts below district

even with state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

Grade 539%

School 39% · District 52% · ▼ 13 pts below district

▼ 6 pts below state median · ▼ 18 pts below county median

Science

Grade 518%

School 18% · District 38% · ▼ 20 pts below district

▼ 10 pts below state median · ▼ 25 pts below county median

This schoolSan Jose 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-income7%Higher-income33%26 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income20%Higher-income73%53 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 3Lower-income7%Higher-income40%33 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income20%Higher-income64%44 pp gap