Robert Down Elementary

Summary:

Robert Down Elementary is a high-performing public elementary school in Pacific Grove, California, serving 408 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. It is part of the Pacific Grove Unified School District, which is ranked 126 out of 1568 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Robert Down Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in California, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science significantly higher than the state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates were around 70-80%, compared to the state averages of 42-47%. The school's performance is particularly strong for Hispanic and special education students, ranking among the top schools in California for these subgroups. Additionally, the school has relatively low chronic absenteeism rates and a lower-than-average free and reduced-price lunch rate, indicating strong student engagement and a relatively affluent student population.

Compared to nearby schools, Robert Down Elementary outperforms its neighbors. For instance, Forest Grove Elementary has lower academic performance, with proficiency rates around 50-70% in English Language Arts and 40-60% in Mathematics. Other nearby schools, such as International School of Monterey and schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified District, have significantly lower academic performance compared to Robert Down Elementary.


Detail:

Public K-5

 485 Pine Ave.
       Pacific Grove, CA  93950-3401


(831) 646-6540

District: Pacific Grove Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
570th of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,890 Help


Students who attend Robert Down Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Pacific Grove Middle
High:    Pacific Grove High

Student/teacher ratio:  18.1 Help
Number of students:  408

Racial breakdown:

White:
65.7%
Hispanic:
16.4%
Two or more races:
8.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  14.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Robert Down Elementary ranks better than 90.3% of elementary schools in California. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 92.01. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (65.7%), Hispanic (16.4%), two or more races (8.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 14.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Robert Down Elementary is 18.1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Robert Down Elementary employs 22.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Robert Down Elementary is $9,890.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Robert Down Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Robert Down Elementary 570th of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Robert Down Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Pacific Grove Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Pacific Grove Unified 126th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Robert Down Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 88.29 575th 4809 88.0%
2005 83.07 811th 4822 83.2%
2006 85.20 724th 4818 85.0%
2007 83.57 818th 5113 84.0%
2008 88.33 569th 5113 88.9%
2009 91.37 397th 5193 92.4%
2010 88.45 545th 5314 89.7%
2011 88.94 493rd 5377 90.8%
2012 87.57 578th 5390 89.3%
2013 89.80 474th 5530 91.4%
2015 88.63 690th 5611 87.7%
2016 87.49 760th 5614 86.5%
2017 92.54 483rd 5692 91.5%
2018 96.20 200th 5662 96.5%
2019 93.30 414th 5789 92.8%
2022 96.62 232nd 5883 96.1%
2023 93.39 476th 5874 91.9%
2024 92.01 570th 5862 90.3%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 86.85 234th 2634 91.1%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.95 128th 5084 97.5%
2019 84.57 513th 5173 90.1%
2024 95.17 229th 5511 95.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.19 211th 5413 96.1%
2019 91.10 499th 5492 90.9%
2022 94.87 311th 5635 94.5%
2023 90.71 584th 5617 89.6%
2024 92.43 469th 5605 91.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.59 216th 5431 96.0%
2019 93.24 357th 5510 93.5%
2022 96.99 152nd 5663 97.3%
2023 93.62 389th 5650 93.1%
2024 87.42 744th 5636 86.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 57.44 602nd 1149 47.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 87.78 397th 4963 92.0%
2022 99.58 18th 5084 99.6%
2023 98.08 69th 5098 98.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Robert Down Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.61 194th 2737 92.9%
2019 85.37 261st 2834 90.8%
2022 89.83 117th 2726 95.7%
2023 78.66 486th 2662 81.7%
2024 81.99 351st 2647 86.7%
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.

Robert Down 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 Robert Down Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 363 13 13 22 0 n/a n/a 0 411
1989 420 13 11 38 0 n/a n/a 0 482
1990 403 10 20 23 3 n/a n/a 0 459
1991 387 17 18 36 0 n/a n/a 0 458
1992 424 13 21 31 0 n/a n/a 0 489
1993 435 12 22 39 0 n/a n/a 0 508
1994 429 16 22 40 1 n/a n/a 0 508
1995 409 10 13 36 0 n/a n/a 0 468
1996 409 10 13 36 0 n/a n/a 0 468
1997 374 10 19 42 0 n/a n/a 0 445
1998 349 8 25 40 0 n/a n/a 0 422
1999 343 11 20 36 0 n/a n/a 0 410
2000 327 8 19 25 1 n/a n/a 7 387
2001 345 12 11 27 2 n/a n/a 8 405
2002 298 11 28 34 1 n/a n/a 15 387
2003 298 11 28 34 1 n/a n/a 15 387
2004 301 12 34 27 1 n/a n/a 18 393
2005 265 12 33 29 2 n/a n/a 16 357
2006 255 9 42 36 3 n/a n/a 16 361
2007 263 5 46 36 4 n/a n/a 14 368
2008 268 7 32 35 2 n/a n/a 0 344
2009 252 7 31 25 3 1 27 0 346
2010 310 8 37 48 3 2 24 0 432
2011 328 8 42 66 3 2 42 0 491
2012 323 8 33 64 3 1 39 0 471
2013 340 8 25 77 3 2 36 0 491
2014 329 9 25 84 3 2 37 0 489
2015 317 6 24 77 2 2 39 0 467
2016 317 5 30 75 1 3 38 0 469
2017 332 4 43 66 2 2 39 0 488
2018 313 3 45 73 1 1 55 0 491
2019 295 10 51 79 9 2 16 0 462
2020 298 12 58 84 6 3 9 0 470
2021 276 12 39 83 6 3 23 0 442
2022 276 11 35 73 5 3 28 0 431
2023 268 6 27 67 3 3 34 0 408

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 Robert Down Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 411 20.9 19.6 n/a
1989 482 19.9 24.2 n/a
1990 459 20.0 22.9 n/a
1991 458 19.5 23.4 n/a
1992 489 19.8 24.6 15.1
1993 508 23.5 21.6 17.9
1994 508 24.0 21.2 16.3
1995 468 22.3 21.0 19
1996 468 22.3 21.0 19
1997 445 22.3 20.0 13.3
1998 422 24.6 17.2 14
1999 410 22.7 18.1 16.6
2000 387 23.6 16.4 14.7
2001 405 23.6 17.2 9.6
2002 387 22.1 17.5 9.4
2003 387 22.1 17.5 9.4
2004 393 19.0 20.7 11.7
2005 357 23.0 15.5 11.1
2006 361 24.0 15.0 8.7
2007 368 23.0 16.0 8.8
2008 344 27.5 12.5 10.8
2009 346 25.0 11.9 14.5
2010 432 20.9 20.6 11.6
2011 491 n/a n/a 16.3
2012 471 21.6 21.8 n/a
2013 491 23.1 21.2 15.5
2014 489 19.6 24.9 15.5
2015 467 20.0 23.3 15
2016 469 18.0 26.0 16
2017 488 18.6 26.2 13.5
2018 491 18.0 27.2 15.7
2019 462 22.0 21.0 16.5
2020 470 n/a n/a 14.7
2021 442 22.0 20.0 17
2022 431 22.1 19.4 13.7
2023 408 22.5 18.1 14.7

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 Robert Down Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 411 20.9 19.6 n/a
1989 482 19.9 24.2 n/a
1990 459 20.0 22.9 n/a
1991 458 19.5 23.4 n/a
1992 489 19.8 24.6 15.1
1993 508 23.5 21.6 17.9
1994 508 24.0 21.2 16.3
1995 468 22.3 21.0 19
1996 468 22.3 21.0 19
1997 445 22.3 20.0 13.3
1998 422 24.6 17.2 14
1999 410 22.7 18.1 16.6
2000 387 23.6 16.4 14.7
2001 405 23.6 17.2 9.6
2002 387 22.1 17.5 9.4
2003 387 22.1 17.5 9.4
2004 393 19.0 20.7 11.7
2005 357 23.0 15.5 11.1
2006 361 24.0 15.0 8.7
2007 368 23.0 16.0 8.8
2008 344 27.5 12.5 10.8
2009 346 25.0 11.9 14.5
2010 432 20.9 20.6 11.6
2011 491 n/a n/a 16.3
2012 471 21.6 21.8 n/a
2013 491 23.1 21.2 15.5
2014 489 19.6 24.9 15.5
2015 467 20.0 23.3 15
2016 469 18.0 26.0 16
2017 488 18.6 26.2 13.5
2018 491 18.0 27.2 15.7
2019 462 22.0 21.0 16.5
2020 470 n/a n/a 14.7
2021 442 22.0 20.0 17
2022 431 22.1 19.4 13.7
2023 408 22.5 18.1 14.7

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

Robert Down Elementary

Help
Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPolioHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMMR
201286.0%7.0%0.0%7.0%91.0%89.0%93.0%90.0%90.0%
201371.0%2.0%1.0%25.0%76.0%89.0%93.0%76.0%74.0%
201474.0%13.0%0.0%13.0%81.0%83.0%83.0%77.0%79.0%
201579.0%11.0%0.0%11.0%87.0%83.0%88.0%87.0%84.0%
201685.0%1.0%4.0%9.0%93.0%88.0%91.0%93.0%91.0%
201788.0%1.0%7.0%5.0%97.0%97.0%≥98.0%97.0%97.0%
201886.0%0.0%7.0%8.0%93.0%96.0%≥98.0%95.0%96.0%
201994.0%3.0%1.0%≥98.0%96.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%96.0%
202089.2%4.6%4.6%96.9%96.9%
202181.4%3.4%1.7%84.8%93.2%86.4%86.4%86.4%
202292.7%2.9%0.0%95.6%

Data source: California Department of Public Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Robert Down Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $9,890

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Robert Down 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 414th of 5789 Elementary schoolsRanks 476th of 5874 Elementary schools
 1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Robert Down Elementary)75.378.3
 2.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Pacific Grove Unified)7066.4
 3.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.543
 5.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Robert Down Elementary)76.785.7
 9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Pacific Grove Unified)70.876.8
 6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (California)50.245.1
 5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Robert Down Elementary)76.576.3
 0.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Pacific Grove Unified)7568.4
 6.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.543.7
 5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Robert Down Elementary)70.772.4
 1.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Pacific Grove Unified)66.262.4
 3.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (California)44.940.8
 4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Robert Down Elementary)86.776.1
 10.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Pacific Grove Unified)7871.1
 6.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Robert Down Elementary)8055.2
 24.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Pacific Grove Unified)65.150
 15.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (Robert Down Elementary)66.762.3
 4.3%
   5th Grade Science (Pacific Grove Unified)5658.5
 2.5%
   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 Students462408
 11.7%
African American106
 40%
American Indian93
 66.7%
Asian5127
 47.1%
Hispanic7967
 15.2%
Pacific Islander23
 50%
White295268
 9.2%
Two or More Races1634
 112.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients16.5%14.7%
 1.7%


Schools Near Robert Down Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Down Elementary

Students who attend Robert Down Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Pacific Grove Middle
High : Pacific Grove High

In the 2022-23 school year, 408 students attended Robert Down Elementary.

Yes. Robert Down Elementary ranks in the top 9.7% of California elementary schools.

Students at Robert Down Elementary are 66% White, 16% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 7% Asian, 1% African American.


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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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