Below Average
#8324 of 9,539 schools in CA
Cottonwood
Elementary School · Hemet Unified
44260 Sage Rd., Aguanga, CA 92536
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,324 of 9,539
In district
#16 of 27
Hemet Unified
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Cottonwood
Elementary School in Aguanga · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Tony Tobin Elementary
9.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Crowne Hill Elementary
9.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cottonwood
Cottonwood is a public elementary school in Aguanga, CA, part of Hemet Unified. Cottonwood serves approximately 189 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #8,324 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 189 students, Cottonwood 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.
Cottonwood 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.
34% of students at Cottonwood 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
Cottonwood — Students at Cottonwood score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 36 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: 2.0/10.
How Cottonwood Compares
See how Cottonwood performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
44260 Sage Rd., Aguanga, CA 92536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Home INstead INnovation Academy (rated 8.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Temecula Ca), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pauba Valley Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Temecula), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Red Hawk Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 11.0 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 | 5.4 |
| Vail Ranch Middle Temecula | 9.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Pauba Valley Elementary Temecula | 9.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula | 10.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Helen Hunt Jackson Elementary Temecula | 10.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Great Oak High Temecula | 10.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Vineyard Country School Temecula | 10.9 mi | — |
| Lightways Academy Sage | 12.6 mi | — |
| Temecula Middle Temecula | 10.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Pauma Elementary Pauma Valley | 12.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Red Hawk Elementary Temecula | 11.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Olivet Academy Anza | 11.8 mi | — |
| Vintage Hills Elementary Temecula | 11.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Home INstead INnovation Academy Temecula Ca | 11.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Rancho Vista High Temecula | 11.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Susan H. Nelson Temecula | 11.2 mi | 3.9 |
| OLIVET ACADEMY Anza | 12.1 mi | 5.2 |
| LINFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Temecula | 11.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Paloma Elementary Temecula | 11.4 mi | 6.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANTELOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Antelope, CA | 4.2 |
| Burckhalter Elementary Oakland, CA | 4.2 |
| CARLSBAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carlsbad, CA | 4.2 |
| CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - WEST CAMPUS El Cajon, CA | 4.2 |
| Conejo Academy of Leadership and Language Immersion Thousand Oaks, CA | 4.2 |
| Ottomon Way Elementary Orangevale, CA | 4.2 |
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 ranks #8,324 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 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.4%
- Phone
- (951) 767-3870
Resources & Links
District
Hemet Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,736
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,819
- District Rank
- #16 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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