Below Average
#7452 of 9,539 schools in CA
Chester Elementary
Elementary School · Plumas Unified
PO Box 826, Chester, CA 96020
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,452 of 9,539
In Chester
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#4 of 7
Plumas Unified
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Chester Elementary
Elementary School in Chester · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chester Junior/senior High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Andrew's Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Chester Elementary
Chester Elementary is a public elementary school in Chester, CA, part of Plumas Unified. Chester Elementary serves approximately 155 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Chester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,452 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Chester Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 3.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 155 students, Chester Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Chester Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
65% of students at Chester 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Chester Elementary — Students at Chester Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
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 32 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: 3.4/10.
How Chester Elementary Compares
See how Chester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 826, Chester, CA 96020
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fletcher Walker Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Westwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pine Ridge (rated 5.3/10, 39.3 miles away, in nearby Magalia), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Greenville Elementary (rated 3.9/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Greenville), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.4 |
| ST ANDREW'S ACADEMY Chester | 0.5 mi | — |
| LAKE ALMANOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lake Almanor | 6.6 mi | — |
| Fletcher Walker Elementary Westwood | 11.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Westwood High Westwood | 11.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Greenville High Greenville | 18.9 mi | — |
| Greenville Elementary Greenville | 18.9 mi | 3.9 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Plumas Christian School Quincy | 30.1 mi | — |
| Plumas Charter Quincy | 30.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Quincy Elementary Quincy | 30.8 mi | 2.7 |
| Cedarwood Elementary Magalia | 36.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Forest Ranch Charter Forest Ranch | 37.1 mi | 3.6 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Browns Elementary Rio Oso, CA | 4.9 |
| GRANITE BAY MONTESSORI Roseville, CA | 4.9 |
| Inyokern Elementary Inyokern, CA | 4.9 |
| Landers Elementary Twentynine Palms, CA | 4.9 |
| Mayberry Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 4.9 |
| Minnie Cannon Elementary Middletown, CA | 4.9 |
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 ranks #7,452 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Chester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Chester Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Chester Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 65.2%
- Phone
- (530) 258-3194
Resources & Links
District
Plumas Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,687
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,119
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
How we rate schools
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