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Donaldson Way Elementary

Q: Is Donaldson Way Elementary a good school?

Donaldson Way Elementary ranks 2336 th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

2336^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Elementary Schools

Better than 60% of California elementary schools

Summary

Donaldson Way Elementary is a K-5 public school serving 528 students in American Canyon, part of the Napa Valley Unified School District, known for its consistent performance and particular strengths in math and science.

Academically, the school stands out in its area, especially in mathematics where it outperforms both the district average and its closest neighbor, Napa Junction Elementary. It also shows a strong record of supporting students with special needs and has made impressive progress in improving student attendance, which is now better than both state and district averages. While the school serves a community with significant economic need, it achieves solid results, particularly when compared to schools in the nearby Vallejo City Unified district, which spend more per student but see much lower academic outcomes.

Within American Canyon, Donaldson Way forms a solid middle ground among the three local elementary schools, generally ranking behind Canyon Oaks Elementary but ahead of Napa Junction Elementary. The school has maintained a stable performance level over the past decade. For parents, the key takeaways are the school's effective specialized support programs, its recent success in getting students to school regularly, and its notable achievements in core subjects like math and science relative to other schools in the region.

528

Students ?

26.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,863

Per pupil spending ?

65.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

430 Donaldson Way
American Canyon, CA 94503-1130

(707) 644-4486

District: Napa Valley Unified

Students who attend Donaldson Way Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	American Canyon Middle
High:	American Canyon High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

44.7%

White:

19.5%

Asian:

19.1%

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Compare Donaldson Way Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 69th percentile in 2013 → 60th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the California median (60th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 9 percentile points since 2013

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 26 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school43%

District avg35%

California avg41%

2,336^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Top 40%▼ down 9 pts since 2015

From top 30% (2015) to top 40% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 16Elementary Schools in the Napa Valley Unified

865^th of 1,543Napa Valley Unified among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	54.5	2336 of 5857	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.7	2419 of 5869	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.6	2723 of 5859	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.7	2039 of 5883	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.8	2135 of 5789	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.1	2234 of 5662	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	67.3	1684 of 5692	70.4%	★★★★☆
2016	66.8	1676 of 5614	70.1%	★★★★☆
2015	65.2	1705 of 5611	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	66.9	1724 of 5530	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	61.0	1986 of 5390	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	64.8	1761 of 5377	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	72.7	1337 of 5314	74.8%	★★★★☆
2009	71.2	1388 of 5193	73.3%	★★★★☆
2008	70.9	1362 of 5113	73.4%	★★★★☆
2007	74.1	1204 of 5113	76.5%	★★★★☆
2006	70.5	1311 of 4818	72.8%	★★★★☆
2005	64.1	1573 of 4822	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2004	52.5	2035 of 4809	57.7%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	50.9	752 of 1203	37.5%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2019	45.7	1112 of 2585	57.0%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	50.2	1167 of 3162	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	39.6	1853 of 3245	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.2	880 of 3311	73.4%	★★★★☆
2019	63.3	724 of 3275	77.9%	★★★★☆
2018	38.1	1863 of 3246	42.6%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	58.7	2012 of 5597	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.1	2408 of 5612	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	42.5	2848 of 5609	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.2	2055 of 5635	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.0	2175 of 5492	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.9	2032 of 5413	62.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	37.9	3170 of 5107	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.0	2615 of 5107	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.7	3729 of 5087	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	47.9	2333 of 5084	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	35.0	3312 of 4963	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.9	3352 of 4830	30.6%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	52.9	2249 of 5460	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.8	2406 of 5517	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.0	2570 of 5363	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.4	2014 of 5264	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.3	2593 of 5173	49.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.6	2779 of 5084	45.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	49.3	2551 of 5628	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.9	2274 of 5643	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.7	2467 of 5638	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.1	1909 of 5663	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.6	1972 of 5510	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.6	2414 of 5431	55.6%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	38.1	503 of 718	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	35.8	430 of 610	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.0	356 of 445	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.9	280 of 339	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	45.8	1211 of 2847	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.4	668 of 2635	74.6%	★★★★☆
2023	48.2	960 of 2420	60.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	57.9	1155 of 2598	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.8	1415 of 2651	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.2	1740 of 2661	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	29.2	2030 of 2726	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	40.7	1831 of 2834	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.8	1533 of 2737	44.0%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2025)64th percentile+4 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)63rd percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)59th percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)57th percentile-3 vs school

Disabled (2019)57th percentile-6 vs school

White (2025)56th percentile-5 vs school

Male (2025)55th percentile-5 vs school

Hispanic (2025)38th percentile-22 vs school

Asian (2025)37th percentile-23 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)30th percentile-30 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy47%~ state avg

Mathematics42%+5 vs state

Science38%+6 vs state

★

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Schools Near Donaldson Way Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)							% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Hepatitis B (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Donaldson Way Elementary	Public	K-5	430 Donaldson Way	American Canyon	94503	Napa County	Napa Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 644-4486	528	20	26.4	65.5%	103 (19.5%)	23 (4.4%)	236 (44.7%)	101 (19.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	62 (11.7%)	54.5	2336^th of 5857 public elementary schools	60.1%		52.7	2419^th of 5869 public elementary schools	58.8%	83	38.4		38.4	43.0	42.7	53.5				46.7	46.2	45.4	35.4				42.0	95.0						$15,863	$1,760	$14,103
Napa Junction Elementary	Public	K-5	500 Eucalyptus Dr.	American Canyon	94503	Napa County	Napa Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 253-3461	531	21	25.2	69.9%	48 (9.0%)	35 (6.6%)	301 (56.7%)	99 (18.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (9.0%)	45.6	2849^th of 5857 public elementary schools	51.4%		43.8	2936^th of 5869 public elementary schools	50.0%	87	29.0		29.0	42.3	46.0	50.0				46.4	38.5	43.7	23.0				34.3							$15,779	$1,749	$14,030
Canyon Oaks Elementary	Public	K-5	475 Silver Oak Trail	American Canyon	94503	Napa County	Napa Valley Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 265-2363	696	26	26.3	63.5%	44 (6.3%)	43 (6.2%)	269 (38.6%)	255 (36.6%)	6 (0.9%)	4 (0.6%)	75 (10.8%)	60.4	2046^th of 5857 public elementary schools	65.1%		65.2	1807^th of 5869 public elementary schools	69.2%	239	39.1		39.1	42.6	52.8	54.0				50.1	53.2	50.4	35.2				45.9							$15,601	$1,586	$14,015
Dan Mini Elementary	Public	K-5	1530 Lorenzo Dr.	Vallejo	94589	Solano County	Vallejo City Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 556-8570	433	18	24.0	77.4%	16 (3.7%)	45 (10.4%)	267 (61.7%)	62 (14.3%)	2 (0.5%)	5 (1.2%)	36 (8.3%)	26.4	4281^st of 5857 public elementary schools	26.9%		26.5	4257^th of 5869 public elementary schools	27.5%	24	21.9		21.9	26.6	6.9	55.4				28.7	32.8	12.3	26.2				23.4	93.3		97.3	96.0	97.3	97.3	$20,632	$3,440	$17,192
Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy	Public	K-8	1025 Corcoran Ave.	Vallejo	94589	Solano County	Vallejo City Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 556-8740	615	31	20.1	83.3%	16 (2.6%)	128 (20.8%)	342 (55.6%)	85 (13.8%)	4 (0.7%)	11 (1.8%)	29 (4.7%)	11.7	5524^th of 5857 public elementary schools	5.7%		14.2	5378^th of 5869 public elementary schools	8.4%	146	11.1	4.6	6.7	13.3	9.1	27.8	26.7	21.5	15.5	20.2	6.5	11.4	5.6	10.9	13.0	3.6	8.8	93.6					93.6	$27,476	$3,324	$24,152
Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy	Public	K-8	146 Rainier Ave.	Vallejo	94589	Solano County	Vallejo City Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 556-8550	365	14	25.7	78.4%	16 (4.4%)	61 (16.7%)	226 (61.9%)	33 (9.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.4%)	24 (6.6%)	8.1	5735^th of 5857 public elementary schools	2.1%		17.8	5050^th of 5869 public elementary schools	14.0%	685	5.3	3.3	4.6	6.0	13.5	21.4	7.4	36.7	26.7	17.8	9.6	16.2	10.5	7.1	33.3	3.3	12.8							$23,612	$3,892	$19,720
Federal Terrace Elementary	Public	K-6	415 Daniels Ave.	Vallejo	94590	Solano County	Vallejo City Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 556-8460	228	10	23.9	83.8%	10 (4.4%)	63 (27.6%)	108 (47.4%)	38 (16.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.9%)	19.3	4890^th of 5857 public elementary schools	16.5%		19.8	4884^th of 5869 public elementary schools	16.8%	6	9.7		9.7	8.0	26.7	18.8	39.4			24.2	0.0	26.7	12.9	30.3			18.5	83.7	87.8	93.9	91.8	85.7	91.8	$25,318	$4,141	$21,177
Johnston Cooper Elementary	Public	K-5	612 Del Mar Ave.	Vallejo	94589	Solano County	Vallejo City Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 556-8420	335	10	33.9	80.6%	3 (0.9%)	81 (24.2%)	179 (53.4%)	38 (11.3%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.9%)	29 (8.7%)	13.9	5351^st of 5857 public elementary schools	8.6%		12.6	5509^th of 5869 public elementary schools	6.1%	158	13.1		13.1	17.7	12.9	27.4				19.1	27.9	15.7	14.5				19.2	96.2			96.2	96.2	97.5	$23,855	$3,508	$20,347
Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	500 Oregon St.	Vallejo	94590	Solano County	Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 563-9827	975	47	20.6	76.8%	32 (3.3%)	228 (23.4%)	563 (57.7%)	86 (8.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	63 (6.5%)	28.9	4063^rd of 5857 public elementary schools	30.6%		32	3787^th of 5869 public elementary schools	35.5%	276	29.4	23.8	26.7	18.6	30.2	33.0	42.9	47.1	43.0	35.8	25.0	31.3	25.0	23.3	27.5	27.0	26.5	93.6	93.6	93.6	93.6	93.6	93.6	$15,746	$817	$14,929
Highland Elementary	Public	K-6	1309 Ensign Ave.	Vallejo	94590	Solano County	Vallejo City Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(707) 556-8500	510	19	26.7	86.9%	29 (5.7%)	94 (18.4%)	334 (65.5%)	20 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	27 (5.3%)	6.8	5786^th of 5857 public elementary schools	1.2%		7.2	5803^rd of 5869 public elementary schools	1.1%	17	8.8		8.8	8.0	12.3	13.8	14.3			12.0	6.5	5.5	10.0	5.3			7.0	96.6			96.6			$20,906	$3,094	$17,812

Frequently Asked Questions about Donaldson Way Elementary

Is Donaldson Way Elementary a good school?

Donaldson Way Elementary ranks 2336^th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Donaldson Way Elementary in?

Napa Valley Unified

How many students attend Donaldson Way Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 528 students attended Donaldson Way Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Donaldson Way Elementary?

Students at Donaldson Way Elementary are 45% Hispanic, 20% White, 19% Asian, 12% Two or more races, 4% African American.

What schools do graduates of Donaldson Way Elementary attend?

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

Middle : American Canyon Middle
High : American Canyon High

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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.