Below Average
#8828 of 9,533 schools in CA
Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary School · Hesperia Unified
8850 Cottonwood Ave., Hesperia, CA 92345
Enrollment
889
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
889
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hesperia
#21 of 29
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,287 of 5,817
In district
#18 of 25
Hesperia Unified
About Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary serves 889 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Hesperia, California. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.4 to 1 in this San Bernardino County community. The school faces significant academic challenges, with 17% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 12% meeting math standards across grade levels.
These results place Cottonwood Elementary in the 4th percentile statewide, ranking among California's schools with substantial room for academic growth. The school's MySchoolScout rating reflects these ongoing educational needs as staff and administration work to support student development. Located on Cottonwood Avenue, the school serves families in ZIP code 92345, where the median household income is $64,243 and median home values reach $330,400.
The surrounding community of nearly 87,500 residents includes many working families, with 19.1% living below the poverty line and 10% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Cottonwood Elementary operates as a regular public school in Hesperia's large suburban setting, providing elementary education to students from diverse economic backgrounds. The school continues its mission to serve this growing community in the high desert region of Southern California.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 23.4:1, 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
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Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.8/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 11.98% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 16.97% (2024).
Location
8850 Cottonwood Ave., Hesperia, CA 92345
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pathways to College K8 (rated 6.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maple Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hesperia, see our Hesperia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mojave River Academy - Rockview Park Oro Grande | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Hesperia High Hesperia | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Mirus Secondary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Shadow Ridge Hesperia | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Mesquite Trails Elementary Hesperia | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Topaz Preparatory Academy Hesperia | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Cedar Middle Hesperia | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Hesperia Junior High Hesperia | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Just 4 Kids Academy Hesperia | 2.0 mi | — |
| Pathways to College K8 Hesperia | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Mesa Grande Elementary Hesperia | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Cypress School of the Arts Hesperia | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Joshua Circle Elementary Hesperia | 2.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Maple Elementary Hesperia | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hesperia | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Mission Crest Elementary Hesperia | 2.2 mi | 3.7 |
| HESPERIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hesperia | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Canyon Ridge High Hesperia | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Summit Leadership Academy-High Desert Hesperia | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Inspire Academy Hesperia | 2.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92345 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,949
Median Home Value
$359,700
Median Rent
$1,499/mo
Population
87,906
College Educated
11.2%
Homeownership
64.9%
Avg Commute
40.8 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary has a median household income of $65,949. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $359,700, with a median rent of $1,499/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Allegiance STEAM Academy - Thrive Chino, CA | 4.0 |
| Alvin Elementary Santa Maria, CA | 4.0 |
| Avaxat Elementary Murrieta, CA | 4.0 |
| Bob Holcomb Elementary San Bernardino, CA | 4.0 |
| Cedarwood Elementary Clovis, CA | 4.0 |
| Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy Indio, CA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary?
Cottonwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 889 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary rank in CA?
Cottonwood Elementary is ranked #8828 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary has 12.8% math proficiency and 17.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary?
65.6% of students at Cottonwood 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
- City Safety
- High (1,970/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hesperia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 889
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Phone
- (760) 949-1390
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hesperia Unified- District Enrollment
- 23,382
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,572
- District Rank
- #18 of 25
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.
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