Below Average
#8294 of 9,539 schools in CA
Cottonwood
School · Cottonwood District
3921 Sandstone Drive Ste. A, EL Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Enrollment
3,099
Student-Teacher
27.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
3,099
Student-Teacher
27.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,294 of 9,539
In EL Dorado Hills
#13 of 13
public schools
Shortlisting around Cottonwood?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
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Cottonwood
School in EL Dorado Hills · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Summitview Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ghs Academy- Golden Hills School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cottonwood
Cottonwood is a public school in EL Dorado Hills, CA, part of Cottonwood District. Cottonwood serves approximately 3,099 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 27.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #8,294 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- CA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Cottonwood is a large school: 3,099 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
Cottonwood runs 27.4:1 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.
Cottonwood is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Cottonwood — Students at Cottonwood score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 22 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.3/10.
How Cottonwood Compares
See how Cottonwood performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3921 Sandstone Drive Ste. A, EL Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood may also want to explore other schools in the area. Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion Charter (rated 7.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is POINT QUEST EDUCATION - EL DORADO HILLS (rated 6.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clarksville Charter (rated 5.7/10, 0.4 miles away, in nearby Orangevile), which scores notably higher. For more schools in EL Dorado Hills, see our EL Dorado Hills schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Summitview Academy El Dorado Hills | 0.3 mi | — |
| GHS ACADEMY- GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL El Dorado Hills | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| G.H.S. Academy El Dorado Hills | 0.4 mi | — |
| Clarksville Charter Orangevile | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| POINT QUEST EDUCATION - EL DORADO HILLS El Dorado Hills | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Point Quest Education - El Dorado Hills El Dorado Hills | 0.5 mi | — |
| GIFT OF KIDS INC El Dorado Hills | 0.7 mi | — |
| Marble Valley Academy El Dorado Hills | 0.7 mi | — |
| Rising Sun Montessori El Dorado Hills | 0.7 mi | 8.8 |
| John Adams Academy - El Dorado Hills Roseville | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Charter Montessori Valley View Campus El Dorado Hills | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| DISTRICT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY El Dorado Hills | 1.8 mi | 2.8 |
| Russell Ranch Elementary Folsom | 1.9 mi | 8.9 |
| William Brooks Elementary El Dorado Hills | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Mangini Ranch Elementary Folsom | 1.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Frederes Homeschool El Dorado Hills | 2.1 mi | — |
| Oak Meadow Elementary El Dorado Hills | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion Charter El Dorado Hills | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Vista del Lago High Folsom | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Silva Valley Elementary El Dorado Hills | 3.2 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95762 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$165,979
Median Home Value
$881,500
Median Rent
$2,479/mo
Population
47,262
College Educated
58.6%
Homeownership
87.2%
Avg Commute
31.5 min
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Median Age
45.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| California Virtual Academy @ San Joaquin Simi Valley, CA | 5.6 |
| HARKER San Jose, CA | 5.6 |
| Literacy First Charter El Cajon, CA | 5.6 |
| California Virtual Academy @ San Diego Simi Valley, CA | 5.7 |
| Clarksville Charter Orangevile, CA | 5.7 |
| Feather River Charter Sacramento, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood
What grades does Cottonwood serve?
Cottonwood serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Cottonwood?
Cottonwood has an enrollment of approximately 3,099 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood is 27.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood rank in CA?
Cottonwood ranks #8,294 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Cottonwood's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Cottonwood?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottonwood has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).
Is Cottonwood a charter school?
Yes, Cottonwood is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Cottonwood a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood?
52.0% of students at Cottonwood qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 3,099
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 113
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- El Dorado County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 0.1%
- Phone
- (530) 285-2003
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Cottonwood District- District Enrollment
- 3,099
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,667
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How we rate schools
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