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
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 16 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: 1.6/10.
How Cottonwood Compares
See how Cottonwood performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 14.29% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 36.8% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (951) 767-3870
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hemet Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,736
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,819
- District Rank
- #25 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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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