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Needs Improvement

#8945 of 9,539 schools in CA

Buena Vista Elementary

Elementary School · Palmdale Elementary

37005 Hillcrest Dr., Palmdale, CA 93552

Enrollment

574

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,945 of 9,539

In Palmdale

#39 of 43

public schools

In district

#27 of 29

Palmdale Elementary

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Buena Vista Elementary

3.6/10

Elementary School in Palmdale · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Yellen Learning Center

6.4/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Antelope Valley Learning Academy

3.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buena Vista Elementary

Buena Vista Elementary is a public elementary school in Palmdale, CA, part of Palmdale Elementary. Buena Vista Elementary serves approximately 574 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Buena Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #8,945 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Buena Vista Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Buena Vista Elementary runs 22.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

38% of students at Buena Vista Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,861
Chronic Absenteeism37.6%

Buena Vista Elementary — Students at Buena Vista Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
46%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
46%
2011
Math
53%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
12.5%
ELA
25.5%
2024
Math
17.4%
ELA
25.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.4/10.

How Buena Vista Elementary Compares

See how Buena Vista Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
6th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

37005 Hillcrest Dr., Palmdale, CA 93552

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buena Vista Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oak Tree Community Day (rated 7.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Los Amigos - Dual Immersion (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Yellen Learning Center (rated 6.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palmdale, see our Palmdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Yellen Learning Center Palmdale 0.2 mi 6.4
Antelope Valley Learning Academy Lancaster 0.4 mi 3.9
Chaparral Prep Academy Palmdale 0.6 mi 4.4
Cimarron Elementary Palmdale 0.6 mi 2.9
Quail Valley Elementary Palmdale 0.8 mi 4.1
Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy Palmdale 0.9 mi 5.9
Mesquite Elementary Palmdale 1.2 mi 4.9
Innovations Academy of Palmdale Palmdale 1.4 mi 6.2
Golden Poppy Elementary Palmdale 1.5 mi 4.7
Palmdale Academy Charter Palmdale 1.8 mi 5.7
Los Amigos - Dual Immersion Palmdale 1.7 mi 6.9
William J. (Pete) Knight High Palmdale 1.8 mi 5.6
Barrel Springs Elementary Palmdale 1.8 mi 6.2
Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy Palmdale 2.0 mi 6.3
Oak Tree Community Day Palmdale 2.2 mi 7.2
Joshua Hills Elementary Palmdale 2.1 mi 3.7
Palmdale Aerospace Academy Palmdale 2.5 mi 5.9
Il Giardino Montessori Palmdale 2.6 mi
Manzanita Elementary Palmdale 2.7 mi 4.4
Desert Rose Elementary Palmdale 2.6 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93552 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,894

Median Home Value

$414,600

Median Rent

$1,851/mo

Population

43,903

College Educated

11.9%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

45.9 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

33.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anaverde Hills Palmdale, CA 3.6
Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Modesto, CA 3.6
Cerra Vista Elementary Hollister, CA 3.6
Discovery Lancaster, CA 3.6
Dool Elementary Calexico, CA 3.6
Elihu Beard Elementary Modesto, CA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buena Vista Elementary

What grades does Buena Vista Elementary serve?

Buena Vista Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Buena Vista Elementary?

Buena Vista Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 574 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista Elementary rank in CA?

Buena Vista Elementary ranks #8,945 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Buena Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Buena Vista Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buena Vista Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buena Vista Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Buena Vista Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Buena Vista Elementary a Title I school?

No, Buena Vista Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buena Vista Elementary?

83.8% of students at Buena Vista 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

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
574
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.6%

District

Palmdale Elementary
District Enrollment
17,935
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,861
District Rank
#27 of 29

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