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
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Big Springs Elementary — Students at Big Springs Elementary score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 1.3/10.
How Big Springs Elementary Compares
See how Big Springs Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 12.37% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 14.29% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (530) 459-3189
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 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.