Very Good
#2903 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 30% in state
Alturas Elementary
Elementary School · Modoc Joint Unified
809 West Eighth St., Alturas, CA 96101
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alturas
#1 of 4
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,942 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 3
Modoc Joint Unified
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Alturas Elementary
Alturas Elementary is a small rural public school located in Alturas, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 357 students and employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.8:1. The school’s academic performance places it at the 45th percentile among all schools in California, with MySchoolScout ranking it at 5.1 out of 10 overall and an academic score of 4.1 out of 10.
In terms of standardized test scores, 32% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 24% meet proficiency standards in math. Alturas Elementary is situated in a remote rural area where community support plays a crucial role in the school’s operations and student development. Despite its modest academic ranking, Alturas Elementary focuses on providing personalized attention to each student within its close-knit community setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Alturas Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Alturas Elementary — Students at Alturas Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.5/10.
How Alturas Elementary Compares
See how Alturas Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 23.76% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32.04% (2024).
Location
809 West Eighth St., Alturas, CA 96101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alturas Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Surprise Valley High (rated 5.0/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Cedarville), a more accessible option. Another option is Modoc High (rated 4.5/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Modoc Middle (rated 4.4/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Alturas, see our Alturas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
10 within 19.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Modoc Middle Alturas | 0.2 mi | 4.4 |
| DAD FOR LEARNING Alturas | 0.7 mi | — |
| Modoc High Alturas | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Warner High Alturas | 0.8 mi | — |
| High Desert Community Day Alturas | 0.8 mi | — |
| ALTURAS MENNONITE SCHOOL Alturas | 1.3 mi | — |
| Modoc Vineyard Academy Canby | 16.4 mi | — |
| I'SOT SCHOOL Canby | 16.9 mi | — |
| Surprise Valley Elementary Cedarville | 19.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Surprise Valley High Cedarville | 19.7 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,117
Median Home Value
$192,200
Median Rent
$830/mo
Population
4,868
College Educated
21.4%
Homeownership
71.8%
Poverty Rate
23%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alturas Elementary has a median household income of $57,117. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,200, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 7.2 |
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA | 7.2 |
| Anatola Avenue Elementary Lake Balboa, CA | 7.2 |
| Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA | 7.2 |
| Austin Creek Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alturas Elementary
What grades does Alturas Elementary serve?
Alturas Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Alturas Elementary?
Alturas Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alturas Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Alturas Elementary is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alturas Elementary rank in CA?
Alturas Elementary is ranked #2903 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Alturas Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Alturas Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Alturas Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alturas Elementary has 24.0% math proficiency and 31.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alturas Elementary a charter school?
No, Alturas Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alturas Elementary a Title I school?
No, Alturas Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alturas Elementary?
66.1% of students at Alturas 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alturas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 357
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Modoc County
- Phone
- (530) 233-7201
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Modoc Joint Unified- District Enrollment
- 810
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,958
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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.
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