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Average

#4442 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 47% in state

Buena Vista Elementary

Elementary School · Palmdale Elementary

37005 Hillcrest Dr., Palmdale, CA 93552

Enrollment

574

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmdale

#12 of 43

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,778 of 5,817

In district

#8 of 29

Palmdale Elementary

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Buena Vista Elementary

Buena Vista Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the large suburban area of Palmdale, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Buena Vista has an enrollment of 574 pupils and employs 26 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.0 out of 10, with the academic score also sitting at 2.8/10, placing it at number 7028 among 9566 schools in California (26th percentile).

In terms of proficiency rates for English Language Arts and reading, 26% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 18% meet the standard. Despite these numbers, Buena Vista Elementary is focused on supporting student development and growth. The school is situated in an area that offers a community feel with easy access to local amenities and recreational facilities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Buena Vista Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Elementary is 22.1:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6%
Math vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,847

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 17.7%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 25.9%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
17.4%
ELA
25.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Buena Vista Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

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. Barrel Springs Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Los Amigos - Dual Immersion (rated 6.6/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Manzanita Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 6.3
Antelope Valley Learning Academy Lancaster 0.4 mi 3.8
Chaparral Prep Academy Palmdale 0.6 mi 5.3
Cimarron Elementary Palmdale 0.6 mi 2.9
Quail Valley Elementary Palmdale 0.8 mi 5.1
Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy Palmdale 0.9 mi 5.6
Mesquite Elementary Palmdale 1.2 mi 4.2
Innovations Academy of Palmdale Palmdale 1.4 mi 4.3
Golden Poppy Elementary Palmdale 1.5 mi 5.4
Palmdale Academy Charter Palmdale 1.8 mi 7.1
Los Amigos - Dual Immersion Palmdale 1.7 mi 6.6
William J. (Pete) Knight High Palmdale 1.8 mi 7.0
Barrel Springs Elementary Palmdale 1.8 mi 7.4
Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy Palmdale 2.0 mi 6.7
Oak Tree Community Day Palmdale 2.2 mi 6.1
Joshua Hills Elementary Palmdale 2.1 mi 4.2
Palmdale Aerospace Academy Palmdale 2.5 mi 4.5
Il Giardino Montessori Palmdale 2.6 mi
Manzanita Elementary Palmdale 2.7 mi 6.5
Desert Rose Elementary Palmdale 2.6 mi 4.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buena Vista Elementary has a median household income of $84,894. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $414,600, with a median rent of $1,851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute in the area is 46 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Accelerated Los Angeles, CA 6.5
Aromas Aromas, CA 6.5
Arroyo Vista Elementary South Pasadena, CA 6.5
Audubon K-8 San Diego, CA 6.5
Aviation Elementary Hawthorne, CA 6.5
Baldwin Lane Elementary Big Bear Lake, CA 6.5

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 is ranked #4442 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Buena Vista Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Buena Vista Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Buena Vista Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista Elementary has 17.7% math proficiency and 25.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,441/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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