San Rafael Elementary: Top-Rated K-5 School in Pasadena, CA (2026 List)

About San Rafael Elementary

San Rafael Elementary is a public K–5 school in Pasadena, California, serving approximately 393 students. The school has about 25 students for every teacher, which helps with structured classroom instruction and working together with students at the same grade level. San Rafael Elementary has a lot of different kinds of students. Most of them come from minority backgrounds which is in line with Pasadena's multicultural community. The academic program focuses on teaching math and English Language Arts based on standards, as well as providing enrichment opportunities and academic intervention services. About 37% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards in math while about 57% do so in reading. Public money pays for basic instruction and services for students. The school is in Pasadena's San Rafael neighborhood which is known for its established homes and community involvement. Local involvement is good for the school. San Rafael Elementary shows balanced academic results, but they are still working on improving math scores. This school is working hard to be one of the best elementary schools in California.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 37%

Reading 57%

State average proficiency is 37% in Math and 57% in Reading.

16

Full-time Teachers

25 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

393

Total Students

$58409

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 14.25%

Asian 1.53%

Hispanic 73.54%

Black 2.29%

Two+ Races 8.14%

Native Am. 0.25%

White

14.25%

Asian

1.53%

Hispanic

73.54%

Black

2.29%

Two+ Races

8.14%

Native Am.

0.25%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 393

53.18%

209 Female

46.82%

184 Male

Student Population

393 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 25 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

San Rafael Elementary Contact Information

Address

1090 Nithsdale Rd., Pasadena, CA, 91105

View on Map

Phone

(626) 396-5790

Call Now

Website

http://sanrafael.pusd.us

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:45 a.m. to 3:10 p.m

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

The mural at San Rafael Elementary School is over 100 feet long and pays tribute to the animals that live in Southern California. The students worked together on the art project to learn about the different kinds of plants and animals that live in the area and how to take care of the environment. The mural was made with help from the Cygnet Foundation, ActiveSGV, the school administration, and the PTA. People who went to a community event found out about it.

FAQ

Q1. Are there arts programs at San Rafael Elementary?

Ans. San Rafael Elementary may have programs in music, theater, and the visual arts to help kids be creative.

Q2. Are there chances for students to be leaders at San Rafael Elementary?

Ans. The school may have roles like being on the student council or being in charge of a classroom.

Q3. What does San Rafael Elementary do to get the community involved?

Ans. San Rafael Elementary might work with groups in the area on events, projects, and community service projects.

Q4. Does San Rafael Elementary use technology in its lessons?

A. San Rafael Elementary School may use computers, tablets, and online learning platforms to make lessons in the classroom better.

Q5. Does San Rafael Elementary have programs for health and mindfulness?

Ans. The school might offer activities that help students' mental health, mindfulness, and overall health.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say