At a glance
Reported students
535
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
29.51
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
California elementary enrollment
66th percentile
Compared with 5,927 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
865
Bonita Elementary: 535 reported students.
State peer staffing position
11th percentile
18.1:1 reported; state peer median 22.4:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 549
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Student–teacher ratio
- 22:1
What the reported data says about Bonita Elementary
Bonita Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–06 in Santa Maria. It is one of 21 current school records connected to Santa Maria-Bonita. NCES reports 535 students for 2024–25.
Among 5,927 elementary schools in California with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 455 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 66th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.1:1, below the California median of 22.4:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (98.9%) and White (0.4%). English learners represent 80.1% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 6.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Bonita Elementary
- 1How do the reported 18.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 29.51 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 80.1%
- Students with disabilities
- 6.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 97.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White0.4%
- Hispanic98.9%
- Black0%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial0.4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Santa Maria-Bonita
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Sanchez (David J.) Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
654 reported students
Fairlawn Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
716 reported students
Battles (Washington) Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
769 reported students
Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
298 reported students
Bill Libbon Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
834 reported students
Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
849 reported students
Public schools near Bonita Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary Elementary · Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–06 | 849 | 3.3 mi |
| Mary Buren Elementary Elementary · Guadalupe Union Elementary | KG–04 | 738 | 3.4 mi |
| Fairlawn Elementary Elementary · Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–06 | 716 | 3.5 mi |
| Liberty Elementary Elementary · Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–06 | 865 | 3.7 mi |
| Sanchez (David J.) Elementary Elementary · Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–06 | 654 | 3.8 mi |
| Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary Elementary · Santa Maria-Bonita | KG–06 | 869 | 3.8 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Bonita Elementary
What grades does Bonita Elementary serve?
Bonita Elementary reports grades KG–06 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Santa Maria-Bonita.
How many students attend Bonita Elementary?
Bonita Elementary reported 535 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 66th percentile among 5,927 California elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 549 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Bonita Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 18.1:1, based on 535 students and 29.51 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The California median for the same school level is 22.4:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Bonita Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Bonita Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Santa Maria-Bonita attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Bonita Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
97.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Bonita Elementary in?
Bonita Elementary is part of Santa Maria-Bonita, based in Santa Maria, CA, which operates 21 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Bonita Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Oakley (Calvin C.) Elementary (3.3 mi), Mary Buren Elementary (3.4 mi), Fairlawn Elementary (3.5 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.