Very Good
#1630 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 17% in state
Cottonwood Creek Charter
Elementary School · Cottonwood Creek Charter District
PO Box 1648, Cottonwood, CA 96022
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
28:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
28:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cottonwood
#2 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,146 of 5,817
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Creek Charter
Cottonwood Creek Charter serves 280 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in this rural Shasta County community. With a student-teacher ratio of 28:1 and 10 full-time equivalent teachers, this charter school has earned strong academic recognition, ranking in the 86th percentile statewide at #1315 out of 9,566 California schools. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 74% meeting standards in mathematics.
These results contribute to Cottonwood Creek Charter's 7.9 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and exceptional 9.4 academic score. Students come from families in a community where the median household income reaches $81,150, with median home values around $321,400. About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 11.5%.
The surrounding ZIP code area is home to nearly 15,000 residents. As a charter school, Cottonwood Creek Charter offers families an alternative educational approach while maintaining its commitment to academic excellence. The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Cottonwood, providing students with a close-knit learning environment away from urban distractions while still maintaining access to community resources.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Creek Charter is 28:1, 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.
Cottonwood Creek Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Cottonwood Creek Charter 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
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Cottonwood Creek Charter — Students at Cottonwood Creek Charter score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 9.3/10.
How Cottonwood Creek Charter Compares
See how Cottonwood Creek Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 73.65% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 74.85% (2024).
Location
PO Box 1648, Cottonwood, CA 96022
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Creek Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Prairie Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Anderson), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Meadow Lane Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Anderson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Cottonwood (rated 7.6/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cottonwood, see our Cottonwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Cottonwood Junior High Cottonwood | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| North Cottonwood Cottonwood | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Anderson Heights Elementary Anderson | 3.5 mi | 4.6 |
| North State Aspire Academy Anderson | 3.6 mi | — |
| Evergreen Elementary Cottonwood | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Oakview High (Alternative) Anderson | 3.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Anderson Community Day Anderson | 3.9 mi | — |
| North Valley High Anderson | 3.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Evergreen Middle Cottonwood | 3.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Evergreen Community Day School (5-8) Cottonwood | 3.4 mi | — |
| Evergreen Community Day School (K-5) Cottonwood | 3.4 mi | — |
| Evergreen Institute of Excellence Cottonwood | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Anderson High Anderson | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Anderson | 4.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Northern Summit Academy Shasta Anderson | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Anderson Middle Anderson | 4.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Anderson New Technology High Anderson | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Meadow Lane Elementary Anderson | 4.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Prairie Elementary Anderson | 6.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Tree of Life International Charter Anderson | 6.1 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,220
Median Home Value
$355,300
Median Rent
$1,409/mo
Population
16,497
College Educated
22.1%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
42.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Creek Charter has a median household income of $87,220. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,300, with a median rent of $1,409/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. L. Conner Elementary Orange Cove, CA | 7.8 |
| Academy for Enriched Sciences Encino, CA | 7.8 |
| Benjamin Bubb Elementary Mountain View, CA | 7.8 |
| Bret Harte Elementary Sacramento, CA | 7.8 |
| Cabazon Elementary Cabazon, CA | 7.8 |
| Equitas Academy 6 Los Angeles, CA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Creek Charter
What grades does Cottonwood Creek Charter serve?
Cottonwood Creek Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Creek Charter?
Cottonwood Creek Charter has an enrollment of approximately 280 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Creek Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Creek Charter is 28:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Creek Charter rank in CA?
Cottonwood Creek Charter is ranked #1630 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Cottonwood Creek Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Creek Charter has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Creek Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Creek Charter has 71.8% math proficiency and 74.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Creek Charter a charter school?
Yes, Cottonwood Creek Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Cottonwood Creek Charter a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Creek Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Creek Charter?
34.6% of students at Cottonwood Creek Charter 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 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 280
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 28:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Shasta County
- Phone
- (530) 347-7200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cottonwood Creek Charter District- District Enrollment
- 280
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,307
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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