Serving 386 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Sylvia Mendez Elementary School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is higher than the California state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 21:1 is equal to the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Kindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 386 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Minority Enrollment: 76%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in CA
- Math Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 50-59% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Student Attention
School Overview
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School's student population of 386 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
386 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
18 teachers
School Rankings
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School ranks within the top 20% of all 9,602 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Sylvia Mendez Elementary School is 0.56, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1423 out of 9602 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
12%
Hispanic
61%
56%
Black
7%
5%
White
24%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
31%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sylvia Mendez Elementary School's ranking?
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School is ranked #1423 out of 9,602 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in California.
What schools are Sylvia Mendez Elementary School often compared to?
Sylvia Mendez Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ruth Acty Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CA state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
How many students attend Sylvia Mendez Elementary School?
386 students attend Sylvia Mendez Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
61% of Sylvia Mendez Elementary School students are Hispanic, 24% of students are White, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 7% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Sylvia Mendez Elementary School?
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School has a student ration of 21:1, which is equal to the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Sylvia Mendez Elementary School offer ?
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is Sylvia Mendez Elementary School part of?
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School is part of Berkeley Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Sylvia Mendez Elementary School located?
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School is located in the South Berkeley neighborhood of Berkeley, CA. There are 3 other public schools located in South Berkeley.
School Reviews
Review Sylvia Mendez Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
