- Enrollment
- 2,874
- Students per teacher
- 24.2:1
- Resource Index
- 29/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Castro Valley, CA
Independent Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Independent Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 28/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 060780009342
👥 S:T ratio 2
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 51
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Independent Elementary earns 28/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 76% of California schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most California schools.
- #4 of 9
- elementary schools in Castro Valley · Resource Index
- 28
- Resource Index · Lower
- 24.5:1
- large classes for California
- 16.2%
- free-lunch eligible
Independent Elementary has class sizes larger than 76% of California schools. Computed live against every California school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Independent Elementary ranks #4 of 9 elementary schools in Castro Valley, CA.
School address
District: Castro Valley Unified · California
NCES ID 060780009342 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+27 students YoY
Independent Elementary held near 661 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+27 headcount).
Teacher FTE held 27.0 → 27.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+27 students YoY 060780009342 · Castro Valley, CA Elementary · MID · TRAD
662 enr · 24.5:1 · 16.2% lunch · RII 28
Nearest enrollment peer: Castro Valley High (2,874 students)
Independent Elementary held near 661 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+27 headcount). Teacher FTE held 27.0 → 27.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · California schools → · Find another →
Independent Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Castro Valley
Castro Valley High
2,874 students
- Canyon Middle
Canyon Middle
1,418 students
- Creekside Midd 754
Creekside Middle
754 students
- This school 662
Independent Elementary
662 students
- Proctor Elemen 613
Proctor Elementary
613 students
- Vannoy Element 536
Vannoy Elementary
536 students
What this shows Independent Elementary reports 662 students on the CCD universe file.
How Independent Elementary compares
Independent Elementary held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs California and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs California | California avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 24.5:1 | ▲ 14% | 21.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 16.2% | ▼ 71% | 55.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 662 | top 26% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
24.5:1
Leaner classes than 6% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
662
Bigger than 78% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
16.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 71% below the California average of 55.5%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
24.5:1
students per teacher
- 14% above state mean
Top 76% in California - lower ratio than 24% of state schools
Well above 20:1, one of the more stretched staffing loads nationally relative to enrollment.
Engagement
19.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$14,601
per pupil, district-wide
- below California avg of $18,665
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 2 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Asian 49.7%
Two or More 16.0%
White 15.9%
Hispanic or Latino 15.6%
African American 2.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: Asian at 49.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 67.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 67.7, Independent Elementary is more mixed than the California school average of 46.0.
Programs
District finance for Castro Valley Unified reports $14,601 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Independent Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castro Valley High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Canyon Middle | Larger | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Creekside Middle | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Proctor Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Vannoy Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Independent Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,418
- Students per teacher
- 23.2:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
- Enrollment
- 754
- Students per teacher
- 22.2:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
- Enrollment
- 613
- Students per teacher
- 25.5:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
- Enrollment
- 536
- Students per teacher
- 29.8:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Similar elementary schools in Castro Valley
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Proctor Elementary
Standard public school
613 students 25.5:1 students per teacher
Vannoy Elementary
Standard public school
536 students 29.8:1 students per teacher
Marshall Elementary
Standard public school
515 students 25.8:1 students per teacher
Stanton Elementary
Standard public school
515 students 24.5:1 students per teacher
Castro Valley Elementary
Standard public school
502 students 26.4:1 students per teacher
Chabot Elementary
Standard public school
496 students 26.1:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~662 students)
Frequently asked questions about Independent Elementary
How many students attend Independent Elementary?
Independent Elementary has 662 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Castro Valley, CA. CCD year-over-year: 634 (2022-23) → 661 (2023-24), nearly flat (+27).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independent Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Independent Elementary is 24.5:1, which is 14% higher than the California average of 21.5:1 and 56% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Independent Elementary?
16.2% of students at Independent Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the California average of 55.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Independent Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Independent Elementary is Asian at 49.7% of enrollment, in Castro Valley, CA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 67.7/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Independent Elementary?
Independent Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 28/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Independent Elementary rank among elementary schools in Castro Valley?
By Resource Investment Index, Independent Elementary ranks #4 of 9 elementary schools in Castro Valley, CA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Castro Valley on the city page.
What other schools are in Castro Valley Unified?
Besides Independent Elementary, Castro Valley Unified also operates Castro Valley High (2,874 students), Canyon Middle (1,418 students), and Creekside Middle (754 students). See the Castro Valley Unified district page for the complete list.