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Needs Improvement

#8939 of 9,533 schools in CA

Big Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Big Valley Joint Unified

PO Box 157, Bieber, CA 96009

Enrollment

68

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bieber

#2 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,365 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 2

Big Valley Joint Unified

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Big Valley Elementary

Big Valley Elementary is a small rural school in Bieber, California, nestled in the remote Lassen County. With an enrollment of just 68 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1, Big Valley offers a close-knit community where teachers can provide individualized attention to each child. The school serves kindergarten through seventh grade and is staffed by three full-time equivalent teachers.

Big Valley Elementary’s academic performance shows room for improvement, with only 20% of students proficient in math and 22% proficient in reading, based on state assessments. The school's MySchoolScout rating reflects this, standing at 2.7 out of 10, placing it near the bottom in California's state ranking at #8964 out of 9566 schools. Despite its challenges, Big Valley Elementary remains a vital part of the local community, providing education and support to students in a remote area.

The school setting reflects the close-knit nature of rural life, where teachers and families work closely together to foster growth and development for every student.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 68 students, Big Valley 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Big Valley Elementary is 22.7:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Big Valley 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 Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.9%
Math vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.9 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-26.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,273

Big Valley Elementary — Students at Big Valley Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 19.6%
School
State
38.8%
ELA Proficiency 21.9%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 10 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
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
17.8%
ELA
21.7%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Big Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
6th percentile in CA
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

PO Box 157, Bieber, CA 96009

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Big Valley Jr. Sr. High (rated 7.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fall River Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Fall River Mills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fall River Junior-Senior High (rated 4.3/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Mcarthur), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bieber, see our Bieber schools guide .

Nearby Schools

7 within 26.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Big Valley Jr. Sr. High Bieber 0.1 mi 7.7
Fall River Junior-Senior High Mcarthur 14.5 mi 4.3
Soldier Mountain High (Continuation) Mcarthur 14.5 mi
Fall River Community Day Mcarthur 14.5 mi
Fall River Elementary Fall River Mills 17.6 mi 6.2
I'SOT SCHOOL Canby 26.1 mi
Modoc Vineyard Academy Canby 26.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,950

Median Home Value

$142,900

Median Rent

$686/mo

Population

380

College Educated

26.7%

Homeownership

80.7%

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

26.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Big Valley Elementary has a median household income of $50,950. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,900, with a median rent of $686/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield, CA 4.0
CERES CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL Ceres, CA 3.8
MOLOKAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hacienda Heights, CA 3.8
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF OJAI Ojai, CA 3.8
Margaret Keating Elementary Klamath, CA 4.0
Surprise Valley Elementary Cedarville, CA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Valley Elementary

What grades does Big Valley Elementary serve?

Big Valley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.

How many students attend Big Valley Elementary?

Big Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Big Valley Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Valley Elementary rank in CA?

Big Valley Elementary is ranked #8939 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Big Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Valley Elementary has 19.6% math proficiency and 21.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Big Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Big Valley Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

57.4% of students at Big Valley 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.

8 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (539/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Lassen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Big Valley Joint Unified
District Enrollment
117
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,318
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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