Very Good
#2356 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 25% in state
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary
Elementary School · Lake Elsinore Unified
32100 Lost Rd., Lake Elsinore, CA 92532
Enrollment
811
Student-Teacher
24.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
811
Student-Teacher
24.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Elsinore
#1 of 19
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,615 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 24
Lake Elsinore Unified
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Canyon Elementary
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary serves about 811 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Lake Elsinore, located in Riverside County's large suburban area. The school has 33 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of approximately 24.6 to 1. Academically, Cottonwood Canyon scores a 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's Academic Score and ranks in the 74th percentile among California schools.
In English Language Arts and Reading, about 51% of students score at proficient level or above across all grade spans. Mathematics performance shows similar results, with approximately 50% of students reaching proficiency or above. These scores reflect a school with room for academic growth where roughly half of students are meeting grade-level standards.
The school's overall MySchoolScout Rating is 6.9 out of 10, placing it among many schools across the state working to strengthen student achievement. Cottonwood Canyon is situated in a large suburban community, offering families a neighborhood school setting within the broader Lake Elsinore area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Canyon Elementary is 24.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Canyon Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.5/10.
How Cottonwood Canyon Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Canyon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 50.48% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 50.36% (2024).
Location
32100 Lost Rd., Lake Elsinore, CA 92532
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Canyon Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Donald Graham Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Wildomar), with a very similar rating. Another option is Taawila Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Menifee), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Herk Bouris Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lake Elsinore, see our Lake Elsinore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Canyon Lake Middle Lake Elsinore | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Libereco Lake Elsinore | 0.4 mi | — |
| Herk Bouris Elementary Lake Elsinore | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Lambs Christian Lake Elsinore | 1.8 mi | — |
| BUNDY CANYON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wildomar | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Bundy Canyon Christian School Wildomar | 2.3 mi | — |
| Grace Christian School of Wildomar Menifee | 2.4 mi | — |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wildomar | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Elsinore High Wildomar | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Quail Valley Elementary Menifee | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Tuscany Hills Elementary Lake Elsinore | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF WILDOMAR Wildomar | 3.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Taawila Elementary Menifee | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| FAITH BAPTIST ACADEMY Wildomar | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| California Lutheran High School Wildomar | 3.5 mi | — |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Wildomar | 3.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Donald Graham Elementary Wildomar | 3.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Railroad Canyon Elementary Lake Elsinore | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Menifee Valley Middle Menifee | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Wildomar | 3.7 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92532 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,746
Median Home Value
$553,100
Median Rent
$2,584/mo
Population
27,268
College Educated
31.1%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
41.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Canyon Elementary has a median household income of $111,746. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $553,100, with a median rent of $2,584/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 41 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA | 7.4 |
| Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento, CA | 7.4 |
| Audubon Elementary Foster City, CA | 7.4 |
| Barrel Springs Elementary Palmdale, CA | 7.4 |
| Belvedere Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 7.4 |
| Brookside Elementary Beaumont, CA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Canyon Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Canyon Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Canyon Elementary?
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 811 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Canyon Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Canyon Elementary is 24.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Canyon Elementary rank in CA?
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary is ranked #2356 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Cottonwood Canyon Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Canyon Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Canyon Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Canyon Elementary has 50.2% math proficiency and 51.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Canyon Elementary a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Canyon Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Canyon Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Canyon Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Canyon Elementary?
50.6% of students at Cottonwood Canyon 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Elsinore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 811
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (951) 244-2585
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lake Elsinore Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,769
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,089
- District Rank
- #2 of 24
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.