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Needs Improvement

#9369 of 9,533 schools in CA

Big Springs Elementary

Elementary School · Big Springs Union Elementary

7405 Highway A-12, Montague, CA 96064

Enrollment

120

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

3.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montague

#4 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,685 of 5,817

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Big Springs Elementary

Big Springs Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Montague, California, in Siskiyou County. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of 120 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, Big Springs offers personalized attention in its small setting. The school has eight full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of their students.

While Big Springs Elementary currently ranks lower on academic metrics compared to other schools in California, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and a state ranking at #8963 (6th percentile), it is focusing on student development and growth. In recent assessments, only 21% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 18% were proficient or above in Math. Big Springs Elementary thrives within its close-knit community, where the school serves as a central hub for local families.

The remote rural setting offers a unique environment that fosters strong bonds among students and their educators.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 120 students, Big Springs Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Big Springs 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 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.3%
Math vs. State Avg-33.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-24.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,086

Big Springs Elementary — Students at Big Springs Elementary score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.4%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 21.2%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
13.8%
ELA
15.9%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Big Springs Elementary Compares

See how Big Springs Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

7405 Highway A-12, Montague, CA 96064

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Springs Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Butteville Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Weed), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montague Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Delphic Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Montague, see our Montague schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Little Shasta Elementary Montague 6.1 mi
Grenada Elementary Grenada 6.3 mi 3.5
Tribe of Gad Creative Learning Homeschool Montague 8.2 mi
Montague Elementary Montague 9.3 mi 8.6
Gazelle Elementary Gazelle 9.4 mi 3.9
Butteville Elementary Weed 11.6 mi 9.1
Delphic Elementary Montague 9.9 mi 8.6
Weed Elementary Weed 13.7 mi 5.3
Weed High Weed 13.7 mi 7.0
Willow Creek Elementary Montague 15.8 mi 6.4
Covenant Chapel Bible Academy Yreka 13.7 mi
Northern United - Siskiyou Charter Eureka 14.0 mi 5.8
COVENANT CHAPEL BIBLE ACADEMY Yreka 13.7 mi 5.0
Jackson Street Elementary Yreka 14.1 mi 5.4
Yreka Adventist Christian School Yreka 13.9 mi
YREKA SDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yreka 13.9 mi 5.7
Evergreen Elementary Yreka 14.1 mi 7.7
Yreka Union High Community Day Yreka 14.3 mi
Discovery High Yreka 14.3 mi 3.9
Siskiyou County Special Education Yreka 14.2 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,602

Median Home Value

$247,400

Median Rent

$907/mo

Population

4,696

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Big Springs Elementary has a median household income of $59,602. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,400, with a median rent of $907/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Sycamore Creek Community Charter Huntington Beach, CA 3.2
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERS #1065 West Covina, CA 3.3
Voices College Bound Language Academy at Stockton San Jose, CA 3.3
Walnut Grove Elementary Walnut Grove, CA 3.3
Fletcher Elementary San Diego, CA 3.4
Mountain View Learning Academy Alpine, CA 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Springs Elementary

What grades does Big Springs Elementary serve?

Big Springs Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Big Springs Elementary?

Big Springs Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 120 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Springs Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Springs Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Springs Elementary rank in CA?

Big Springs Elementary is ranked #9369 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Big Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Springs Elementary has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Big Springs Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Springs Elementary has 18.4% math proficiency and 21.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Big Springs Elementary a charter school?

No, Big Springs Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Springs Elementary a Title I school?

No, Big Springs Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Springs Elementary?

65.0% of students at Big Springs 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (941/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Montague). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Siskiyou County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Big Springs Union Elementary
District Enrollment
120
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,745
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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