Thelma Bedell Elementary: Top School in Santa Paula, CA (2026 List)

About Thelma Bedell Elementary

Thelma Bedell Elementary School is located at 1305 Laurel Road. The school serves 390 students in grades K–5. The student–teacher ratio is 19:1. Math proficiency is 17% and reading proficiency is 32%. The gender mix is 49% female and 51% male. The school environment is growth-oriented and promotes a strong sense of community belonging. Educators work together to align instruction across different classrooms. The campus features modern equipment to assist with daily learning tasks. Students are encouraged to take pride in their school surroundings. Regular meetings are held to ensure all staff members are working toward the same goals. Outdoor lunch areas are organized to allow for safe and orderly meal periods. New literacy resources have been added to the media center to support reading goals. Faculty members maintain a professional and steady focus on improving student outcomes. Housing prices near the school range from $490,000 to $760,000. Parent reviews emphasize the high level of professionalism and the organized nature of daily school operations. Families feel that the school is run with great attention to detail. The campus is striving to become one of the best elementary schools in California.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 17%

Reading 32%

State average proficiency is 17% in Math and 32% in Reading.

16

Full-time Teachers

19 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

309

Total Students

$58409

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 8.41%

Asian 1.62%

Hispanic 88.35%

Black 0.65%

Two+ Races 0.65%

Native Am. 0.32%

White

8.41%

Asian

1.62%

Hispanic

88.35%

Black

0.65%

Two+ Races

0.65%

Native Am.

0.32%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 309

52.43%

162 Female

47.57%

147 Male

Student Population

309 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 19 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

309 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Thelma Bedell Elementary Contact Information

Address

1305 Laurel Rd., Santa Paula, CA, 93060

View on Map

Phone

(805) 933-8951

Call Now

Website

http://www.santapaulausd.org

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: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:45 AM 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 district and Thelma Bedell Elementary are working together to accept intradistrict transfer forms for the 2026–2027 school year. The ASPIRE after-school program is still available on campus. It gives students a safe place to learn and get help with their schoolwork until 6:00 PM. Staff members are currently working on their own professional development to help with the district's "Portrait of a Graduate" project.

FAQ

Q1. Is there a separate computer lab at Thelma Bedell Elementary School for teaching technology?

Ans. Students have their own devices, but there is a special lab for advanced projects, making digital media, and state testing.

Q2. What do you need to do to be a classroom chaperone at Thelma Bedell Elementary School?

Ans. For safety, volunteers must have a current TB clearance and a background check on file with the district office.

Q3. What does Thelma Bedell Elementary School do with students' lost and found items?

Ans. Parents and students can check a central bin near the cafeteria every week to see if they have lost any clothes or lunchboxes.

Q4. Are there any summer reading or enrichment programs at Thelma Bedell Elementary School?

Ans. The district has a summer RISE program for students who meet certain requirements to help them keep their reading and math skills sharp during the break.

Q5: What is the "Portrait of a Graduate" program at Thelma Bedell Elementary School?

Ans. To help students succeed in the future, this program focuses on developing six specific skills, such as communication and critical thinking.

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.

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What Parents Say