Average
#7633 of 9,533 schools in CA
Chester Elementary
Elementary School · Plumas Unified
PO Box 826, Chester, CA 96020
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chester
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,530 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 7
Plumas Unified
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Chester Elementary
Chester Elementary is a charming rural school located in the heart of Chester, California. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 155 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Chester Elementary shows there is room for growth, with only 43% of students proficient in English Language Arts/Reading and 38% meeting proficiency standards in math.
The school ranks #4823 out of 9566 schools statewide, placing it near the median among California's elementary schools. Despite these numbers, Chester Elementary is committed to supporting its students' development through a personalized learning environment. Chester Elementary sits in a remote rural area surrounded by natural beauty and small-town charm.
The community offers a close-knit atmosphere where everyone knows each other, making it an ideal setting for children to grow and thrive.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 155 students, Chester 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, Chester 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
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Chester Elementary — Students at Chester Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.
How Chester Elementary Compares
See how Chester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 34.62% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 41.03% (2024).
Location
PO Box 826, Chester, CA 96020
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pine Ridge (rated 6.4/10, 39.3 miles away, in nearby Magalia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedarwood Elementary (rated 5.2/10, 36.8 miles away, in nearby Magalia), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Greenville Elementary (rated 4.7/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Greenville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
19 within 39.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Junior/Senior High Chester | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ANDREW'S ACADEMY Chester | 0.5 mi | — |
| LAKE ALMANOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lake Almanor | 6.6 mi | — |
| Fletcher Walker Elementary Westwood | 11.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Westwood High Westwood | 11.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Greenville High Greenville | 18.9 mi | — |
| Greenville Elementary Greenville | 18.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Portola Opportunity Quincy | 29.7 mi | — |
| Plumas County Community Quincy | 29.7 mi | — |
| Plumas County Opportunity Quincy | 29.7 mi | — |
| Quincy Junior/Senior High Quincy | 29.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Plumas Christian School Quincy | 30.1 mi | — |
| Plumas Charter Quincy | 30.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Quincy Elementary Quincy | 30.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Cedarwood Elementary Magalia | 36.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Forest Ranch Charter Forest Ranch | 37.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Upward International Schools, Inc. Magalia | 38.8 mi | — |
| UPWARD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS, PINES ACADEMY CAMPUS Magalia | 38.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Pine Ridge Magalia | 39.3 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,123
Median Home Value
$277,700
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
Population
2,404
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
83.1%
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
59.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chester Elementary has a median household income of $82,123. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,700, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| Clear Creek Elementary Grass Valley, CA | 5.0 |
| Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata, CA | 5.0 |
| Los Olivos Elementary Los Olivos, CA | 5.0 |
| Manteca Online Academy Stockton, CA | 5.0 |
| Mark West Charter Santa Rosa, CA | 5.0 |
| RESURRECTION ACADEMY Fontana, CA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chester Elementary
What grades does Chester Elementary serve?
Chester Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Chester Elementary?
Chester Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Chester Elementary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chester Elementary rank in CA?
Chester Elementary is ranked #7633 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Chester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Chester Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester Elementary has 37.7% math proficiency and 42.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chester Elementary a charter school?
No, Chester Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chester Elementary a Title I school?
No, Chester Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester Elementary?
58.7% of students at Chester 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 155
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Plumas County
- Phone
- (530) 258-3194
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Plumas Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,687
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,119
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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
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