Average
#5349 of 9,533 schools in CA
Alta Sierra Elementary
Elementary School · Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary
16607 Annie Dr., Grass Valley, CA 95949
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grass Valley
#16 of 21
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,240 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 4
Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Alta Sierra Elementary
Alta Sierra Elementary serves 331 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Grass Valley, California, operating as a regular public school with 15 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.1 to 1. The school earns a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 73rd percentile statewide, placing it at #2542 among California's 9,566 elementary schools. Academically, Alta Sierra Elementary demonstrates respectable performance with 53% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 50% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect steady academic achievement that places the school above average compared to many California elementary schools. The school draws families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $90,293 and home values average $508,300. About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.6%.
This supportive demographic environment, combined with the school's consistent academic performance, creates a foundation for student success. Alta Sierra Elementary is situated in the town setting of Grass Valley in Nevada County, serving a community of over 21,000 residents in the 95949 ZIP code area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Alta Sierra Elementary is 22.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Alta Sierra Elementary — Students at Alta Sierra Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.9/10.
How Alta Sierra Elementary Compares
See how Alta Sierra Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 50% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 53.8% (2024).
Location
16607 Annie Dr., Grass Valley, CA 95949
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alta Sierra Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chicago Park Community Charter (rated 8.1/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bell Hill Academy (rated 8.1/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arete Charter Academy (rated 7.0/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grass Valley, see our Grass Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Encounter High School Grass Valley | 3.2 mi | — |
| CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTER HIGH SCHOOL Grass Valley | 3.2 mi | — |
| Chicago Park Elementary Grass Valley | 3.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Chicago Park Community Charter Grass Valley | 3.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Magnolia Intermediate Grass Valley | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Cottage Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 4.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Colfax High Colfax | 4.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Bear River High Grass Valley | 5.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Colfax Elementary Colfax | 4.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Wolf Mountain Christian School Grass Valley | 4.6 mi | — |
| Arete Charter Academy Grass Valley | 4.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 6.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Union Hill Middle Grass Valley | 6.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley | 6.5 mi | 6.7 |
| John Muir Charter Grass Valley | 6.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Weimar Hills Weimar | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Forest Lake Christian School Auburn | 6.7 mi | — |
| Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley | 6.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley | 6.8 mi | — |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley | 6.8 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,309
Median Home Value
$551,700
Median Rent
$1,827/mo
Population
20,709
College Educated
32.3%
Homeownership
86.2%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
54.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alta Sierra Elementary has a median household income of $90,309. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $551,700, with a median rent of $1,827/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen (Ella B.) Elementary Bonita, CA | 6.1 |
| American Union Elementary Fresno, CA | 6.1 |
| Baker Elementary San Diego, CA | 6.1 |
| Buckeye School of the Arts Redding, CA | 6.1 |
| CHEDER MENACHEM Los Angeles, CA | 6.1 |
| Cappy Culver Elementary Paso Robles, CA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alta Sierra Elementary
What grades does Alta Sierra Elementary serve?
Alta Sierra Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Alta Sierra Elementary?
Alta Sierra Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta Sierra Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Alta Sierra Elementary is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alta Sierra Elementary rank in CA?
Alta Sierra Elementary is ranked #5349 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Alta Sierra Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Alta Sierra Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Alta Sierra Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alta Sierra Elementary has 50.4% math proficiency and 54.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alta Sierra Elementary a charter school?
No, Alta Sierra Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alta Sierra Elementary a Title I school?
No, Alta Sierra Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alta Sierra Elementary?
36.3% of students at Alta Sierra Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,743/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grass Valley). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 331
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Nevada County
- Phone
- (530) 272-2319
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pleasant Ridge Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,428
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,572
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.