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Below Average

#8877 of 9,533 schools in CA

Cottonwood

Elementary School · Hemet Unified

44260 Sage Rd., Aguanga, CA 92536

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#5,324 of 5,817

In district

#25 of 27

Hemet Unified

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Cottonwood

Cottonwood is a charming elementary school in Aguanga, California, nestled in the heart of Riverside County's rural landscape. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, Cottonwood has an enrollment of 189 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, ensuring each child receives personalized attention. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' growth, the school offers a supportive educational environment.

While academic performance metrics show room for improvement—Cottonwood ranks at the 25th percentile in California and has an ELA proficiency rate of 39% and math proficiency rate of 17%, with MySchoolScout rating it at 3.9 out of 10—the school focuses on nurturing each student's unique potential and development. Located along Sage Road, Cottonwood is a close-knit community where teachers and families work together to provide a warm, caring atmosphere for young learners. The rural setting offers a serene backdrop that encourages exploration and learning in nature, making it a special place for children to grow and thrive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 189 students, Cottonwood 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, Cottonwood 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.8%
Math vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,829

Cottonwood — Students at Cottonwood score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 38.6%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
13.8%
ELA
36.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.6/10.

How Cottonwood Compares

See how Cottonwood performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
7th percentile in CA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

44260 Sage Rd., Aguanga, CA 92536

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Abby Reinke Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Temecula), which scores notably higher. Another option is Home INstead INnovation Academy (rated 7.8/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Temecula Ca), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paloma Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Temecula), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aguanga, see our Aguanga schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Tony Tobin Elementary Temecula 9.2 mi 6.3
Crowne Hill Elementary Temecula 9.6 mi 6.1
Vail Ranch Middle Temecula 9.7 mi 5.8
Pauba Valley Elementary Temecula 9.9 mi 4.7
Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula 10.3 mi 7.8
Helen Hunt Jackson Elementary Temecula 10.5 mi 4.4
Great Oak High Temecula 10.7 mi 6.9
Vineyard Country School Temecula 10.9 mi
Lightways Academy Sage 12.6 mi
Temecula Middle Temecula 10.9 mi 6.4
Pauma Elementary Pauma Valley 12.6 mi 3.4
Red Hawk Elementary Temecula 11.0 mi 4.9
Olivet Academy Anza 11.8 mi
Vintage Hills Elementary Temecula 11.1 mi 6.3
Home INstead INnovation Academy Temecula Ca 11.1 mi 7.8
Rancho Vista High Temecula 11.2 mi 4.8
Susan H. Nelson Temecula 11.2 mi 4.0
OLIVET ACADEMY Anza 12.1 mi 5.2
LINFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Temecula 11.3 mi 4.9
Paloma Elementary Temecula 11.4 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,046

Median Home Value

$399,300

Median Rent

$1,120/mo

Population

2,749

College Educated

27.3%

Homeownership

88.3%

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

48.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cottonwood has a median household income of $80,046. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $399,300, with a median rent of $1,120/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Achieve Charter School of Chico Chico, CA 4.0
BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Concord, CA 4.0
Copperopolis Elementary Copperopolis, CA 4.0
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL - LA Los Angeles, CA 4.0
Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego, CA 4.0
RESURRECTION SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottonwood

What grades does Cottonwood serve?

Cottonwood serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Cottonwood?

Cottonwood has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood?

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood is 15.8:1. 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 is ranked #8877 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Cottonwood's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Cottonwood?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood has 17.3% math proficiency and 38.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cottonwood a charter school?

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

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?

72.0% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (286/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hemet Unified
District Enrollment
22,736
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,819
District Rank
#25 of 27

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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