Donaldson Way Elementary

Summary:

Donaldson Way Elementary is a public elementary school located in American Canyon, California, serving around 490 students in grades K-5. It is part of the Napa Valley Unified School District, which is ranked 882 out of 1,568 districts in the state.

Donaldson Way Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state averages in Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 46.27% of Donaldson Way students were proficient or better in ELA/Literacy End of Course, compared to 40.68% for the district and 47.04% for the state. In Mathematics, Donaldson Way had 41.04% proficiency or better, compared to 27.8% for the district and 35.54% for the state. However, the school's multi-racial student group has struggled, ranking in the bottom 20% of the state. Donaldson Way also faces a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 7.9% in 2017-2018 to 33.5% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the district's average of 43.9%.

Compared to nearby schools, Napa Junction Elementary underperforms Donaldson Way in most academic metrics, while Canyon Oaks Elementary consistently outperforms Donaldson Way across all grade levels and subject areas. Donaldson Way's high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, reaching 62.04% in 2022-2023, suggests that the school serves a predominantly low-income population, which may contribute to the challenges it faces, such as the high chronic absenteeism rate.


Detail:

Public K-5

 430 Donaldson Way
       American Canyon, CA  94503-1130


(707) 644-4486

District: Napa Valley Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
2415th of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $5,083 Help


Students who attend Donaldson Way Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    American Canyon Middle
High:    American Canyon High

Student/teacher ratio:  25.8 Help
Number of students:  517

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
46.6%
Asian:
18.8%
White:
18.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  65.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Donaldson Way Elementary ranks better than 58.8% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 6th among 16 ranked elementary schools in the Napa Valley Unified School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 52.68. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Donaldson Way Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (46.6%), Asian (18.8%), White (18.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 65.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Donaldson Way Elementary is 25.8. 13 elementary schools in the Napa Valley Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Donaldson Way Elementary employs 20 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Donaldson Way Elementary is $5,083, which is the lowest among 16 elementary schools in the Napa Valley Unified School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Donaldson Way Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Donaldson Way Elementary 2415th of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Donaldson Way Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Napa Valley Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Napa Valley Unified 882nd of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Donaldson Way Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 52.49 2035th 4809 57.7%
2005 64.08 1573rd 4822 67.4%
2006 70.49 1311th 4818 72.8%
2007 74.07 1204th 5113 76.5%
2008 70.94 1362nd 5113 73.4%
2009 71.17 1388th 5193 73.3%
2010 72.68 1337th 5314 74.8%
2011 64.79 1761st 5377 67.2%
2012 60.96 1986th 5390 63.2%
2013 66.94 1724th 5530 68.8%
2015 65.19 1705th 5611 69.6%
2016 66.82 1676th 5614 70.1%
2017 67.33 1684th 5692 70.4%
2018 56.10 2234th 5662 60.5%
2019 58.77 2135th 5789 63.1%
2022 59.73 2039th 5883 65.3%
2023 46.55 2727th 5874 53.6%
2024 52.68 2415th 5862 58.8%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.88 280th 339 17.4%
2019 28.05 356th 445 20.0%
2022 35.81 430th 610 29.5%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.12 1863rd 3246 42.6%
2019 63.35 724th 3275 77.9%
2022 57.18 880th 3311 73.4%
2023 39.58 1855th 3250 42.9%
2024 50.18 1166th 3160 63.1%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 48.20 960th 2420 60.3%
2024 62.39 667th 2634 74.7%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.58 2779th 5084 45.3%
2019 47.32 2593rd 5173 49.9%
2022 54.36 2014th 5264 61.7%
2023 46.99 2572nd 5374 52.1%
2024 49.84 2402nd 5511 56.4%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.85 2032nd 5413 62.5%
2019 56.03 2175th 5492 60.4%
2022 57.18 2055th 5635 63.5%
2023 42.51 2849th 5617 49.3%
2024 50.15 2403rd 5605 57.1%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 45.72 1112th 2585 57.0%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.55 2414th 5431 55.6%
2019 59.63 1972nd 5510 64.2%
2022 61.14 1909th 5663 66.3%
2023 49.69 2469th 5650 56.3%
2024 53.87 2270th 5636 59.7%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.92 3352nd 4830 30.6%
2019 35.02 3312th 4963 33.3%
2022 47.94 2333rd 5084 54.1%
2023 29.73 3736th 5098 26.7%
2024 45.01 2611th 5102 48.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Donaldson Way Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.80 1533rd 2737 44.0%
2019 40.72 1831st 2834 35.4%
2022 29.17 2030th 2726 25.5%
2023 39.17 1739th 2662 34.7%
2024 49.80 1413th 2647 46.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Donaldson Way Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Donaldson Way Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 198 6 14 16 0 n/a n/a 0 234
1989 200 6 17 13 0 n/a n/a 0 236
1990 224 7 29 27 1 n/a n/a 0 288
1991 277 14 31 46 1 n/a n/a 0 369
1992 302 11 36 42 2 n/a n/a 0 393
1993 330 11 39 32 1 n/a n/a 0 413
1994 332 12 40 43 0 n/a n/a 0 427
1995 328 32 55 42 2 n/a n/a 0 459
1996 328 32 55 42 2 n/a n/a 0 459
1997 321 34 53 51 3 n/a n/a 0 462
1998 334 37 57 63 2 n/a n/a 0 493
1999 285 28 59 74 4 n/a n/a 0 450
2000 263 26 54 74 3 n/a n/a 0 420
2001 262 28 53 84 1 n/a n/a 1 429
2002 236 44 116 101 8 n/a n/a 1 506
2003 236 44 116 101 8 n/a n/a 1 506
2004 220 35 120 105 4 n/a n/a 67 551
2005 182 47 171 138 2 n/a n/a 66 606
2006 155 47 146 139 1 n/a n/a 76 564
2007 130 35 149 135 2 n/a n/a 53 504
2008 136 36 147 140 3 n/a n/a 0 462
2009 139 35 151 139 1 7 63 0 535
2010 128 40 170 161 0 7 51 0 557
2011 128 32 148 164 0 7 48 0 527
2012 122 28 168 176 1 8 55 0 558
2013 126 29 167 178 1 7 60 0 568
2014 141 38 170 194 0 4 59 0 606
2015 145 36 184 210 0 3 57 0 635
2016 132 36 194 221 1 4 55 0 643
2017 117 30 176 209 1 6 63 0 602
2018 126 28 168 215 0 6 59 0 602
2019 118 21 154 227 0 6 65 0 591
2020 106 19 139 248 0 6 56 0 574
2021 106 13 122 217 0 5 61 0 524
2022 92 17 107 205 0 3 63 0 487
2023 89 14 109 219 0 3 56 0 490
2024 96 17 97 241 0 3 63 0 517

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Donaldson Way Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 234 10.4 22.5 n/a
1989 236 10.0 23.6 n/a
1990 288 11.6 24.8 n/a
1991 369 15.1 24.4 n/a
1992 393 15.3 25.6 23.7
1993 413 17.0 24.3 21.3
1994 427 17.0 25.1 19.2
1995 459 18.0 25.5 29.6
1996 459 18.0 25.5 29.6
1997 462 20.0 23.1 31
1998 493 22.5 21.9 27.6
1999 450 22.5 20.0 28.4
2000 420 20.5 20.5 25.5
2001 429 21.2 20.2 24.5
2002 506 25.2 20.1 29.9
2003 506 25.2 20.1 29.9
2004 551 26.2 21.0 34.3
2005 606 29.2 20.8 35.6
2006 564 24.2 23.3 36.7
2007 504 24.4 20.7 29.7
2008 462 27.3 16.9 29.7
2009 535 26.2 19.7 23
2010 557 22.0 25.3 32.3
2011 527 n/a n/a 33.2
2012 558 19.0 29.3 n/a
2013 568 20.0 28.4 34.3
2014 606 21.0 28.8 35.1
2015 635 23.0 27.6 34.2
2016 643 25.0 25.7 38.4
2017 602 24.0 25.0 36.9
2018 602 23.0 26.1 39
2019 591 23.0 25.6 39.8
2020 574 n/a n/a 41.8
2021 524 22.8 22.9 45.6
2022 487 19.0 25.6 44.8
2023 490 19.0 25.7 62
2024 517 20.0 25.8 65.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Donaldson Way Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 234 10.4 22.5 n/a
1989 236 10.0 23.6 n/a
1990 288 11.6 24.8 n/a
1991 369 15.1 24.4 n/a
1992 393 15.3 25.6 23.7
1993 413 17.0 24.3 21.3
1994 427 17.0 25.1 19.2
1995 459 18.0 25.5 29.6
1996 459 18.0 25.5 29.6
1997 462 20.0 23.1 31
1998 493 22.5 21.9 27.6
1999 450 22.5 20.0 28.4
2000 420 20.5 20.5 25.5
2001 429 21.2 20.2 24.5
2002 506 25.2 20.1 29.9
2003 506 25.2 20.1 29.9
2004 551 26.2 21.0 34.3
2005 606 29.2 20.8 35.6
2006 564 24.2 23.3 36.7
2007 504 24.4 20.7 29.7
2008 462 27.3 16.9 29.7
2009 535 26.2 19.7 23
2010 557 22.0 25.3 32.3
2011 527 n/a n/a 33.2
2012 558 19.0 29.3 n/a
2013 568 20.0 28.4 34.3
2014 606 21.0 28.8 35.1
2015 635 23.0 27.6 34.2
2016 643 25.0 25.7 38.4
2017 602 24.0 25.0 36.9
2018 602 23.0 26.1 39
2019 591 23.0 25.6 39.8
2020 574 n/a n/a 41.8
2021 524 22.8 22.9 45.6
2022 487 19.0 25.6 44.8
2023 490 19.0 25.7 62
2024 517 20.0 25.8 65.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

Donaldson Way Elementary

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPolioHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMMR
2012100.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
201398.0%1.0%0.0%1.0%98.0%99.0%99.0%98.0%98.0%
201499.0%1.0%0.0%0.0%99.0%99.0%99.0%99.0%99.0%
201596.0%3.0%0.0%1.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%96.0%
201693.0%2.0%0.0%5.0%95.0%98.0%98.0%94.0%94.0%
2017≥98.0%≤2.0%≤2.0%≤2.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%
201898.0%0.0%1.0%1.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%98.0%98.0%
201997.0%0.0%3.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%
202096.8%0.8%2.4%97.6%97.6%
202295.0%0.0%0.0%

Data source: California Department of Public Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Donaldson Way Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $5,083

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Donaldson Way Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 2135th of 5789 Elementary schoolsRanks 2727th of 5874 Elementary schools
 9.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Donaldson Way Elementary)45.241.1
 4.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Napa Valley Unified)4535.6
 9.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.543
 5.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Donaldson Way Elementary)47.341.5
 5.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Napa Valley Unified)49.938
 11.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (California)50.245.1
 5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Donaldson Way Elementary)45.735.2
 10.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Napa Valley Unified)4540
 5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.543.7
 5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Donaldson Way Elementary)46.732.4
 14.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Napa Valley Unified)44.439.6
 4.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (California)44.940.8
 4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Donaldson Way Elementary)6750
 17%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Napa Valley Unified)51.547.9
 3.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Donaldson Way Elementary)53.631
 22.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Napa Valley Unified)37.932.4
 5.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (Donaldson Way Elementary)33.930.6
 3.3%
   5th Grade Science (Napa Valley Unified)28.329
 0.7%
   5th Grade Science (California)31.731.9
 0.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students591490
 17.1%
African American2114
 33.3%
American Indian00
Asian154109
 29.2%
Hispanic227219
 3.5%
Pacific Islander63
 50%
White11889
 24.6%
Two or More Races6556
 13.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients39.8%62%
 22.3%


Schools Near Donaldson Way Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Donaldson Way Elementary

Students who attend Donaldson Way Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : American Canyon Middle
High : American Canyon High

In the 2023-24 school year, 517 students attended Donaldson Way Elementary.

Students at Donaldson Way Elementary are 47% Hispanic, 19% Asian, 19% White, 12% Two or more races, 3% African American.

Donaldson Way Elementary ranks 2415th of 5862 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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