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Very Good

#1789 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 19% in state

Cottonwood Elementary

Elementary School · Westside Union Elementary

2740 West Ave. P-8, Palmdale, CA 93551

Enrollment

615

Student-Teacher

28:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmdale

#1 of 43

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,252 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 12

Westside Union Elementary

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Cottonwood Elementary

Cottonwood Elementary serves 615 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in Palmdale, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 28:1 across its 22 full-time equivalent teaching staff. The school has earned recognition as a strong academic performer, ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #1983 out of 9566 California elementary schools and receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. Academically, Cottonwood Elementary demonstrates solid performance with 59% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 44% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education in core subject areas. The school serves families in a well-established suburban community where the median household income is $107,133 and median home values reach $488,600. About 30% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 6.5%, indicating a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class environment that typically supports educational achievement.

Located on West Avenue P-8, Cottonwood Elementary sits in the heart of Palmdale's large suburban landscape, serving as an educational cornerstone for families in this growing Los Angeles County community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.5%
Math vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,392

Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.4%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 58.8%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
46.9%
ELA
60.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.

How Cottonwood Elementary Compares

See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

2740 West Ave. P-8, Palmdale, CA 93551

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gregg Anderson Academy (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Palmdale Learning Plaza (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Palm Tree Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 3.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palmdale, see our Palmdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland High Palmdale 0.3 mi 5.4
David G. Millen Law and Government Magnet Academy Palmdale 0.6 mi 5.6
Stewart Family Homestead Palmdale 1.2 mi
Summerwind Elementary Palmdale 1.3 mi 2.7
Palmdale Discovery Center Palmdale 1.5 mi 5.2
Dos Caminos Dual Immersion Palmdale 1.5 mi 5.0
Ocotillo Elementary Palmdale 1.6 mi 4.9
Anaverde Hills Palmdale 2.0 mi 6.1
Esperanza Elementary Palmdale 1.9 mi 5.2
PALMDALE UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN Palmdale 1.8 mi
Hillview Middle Palmdale 2.5 mi 6.9
Rancho Vista Elementary Palmdale 2.5 mi 5.3
CROSSWIND COMM CHURCH-ADVENTURELAND PRESCHOOL Palmdale 3.4 mi
Gregg Anderson Academy Palmdale 3.3 mi 7.7
Palmdale Learning Plaza Palmdale 3.2 mi 7.2
Yucca Elementary Palmdale 3.1 mi 3.6
Paraclete High School Lancaster 3.8 mi
PARACLETE HIGH SCHOOL Lancaster 3.8 mi 5.7
Valley View Elementary Lancaster 4.1 mi 5.3
Palm Tree Elementary Palmdale 3.5 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93551 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,850

Median Home Value

$548,800

Median Rent

$2,263/mo

Population

54,956

College Educated

30.1%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

36 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary has a median household income of $110,850. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $548,800, with a median rent of $2,263/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 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
Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula, CA 7.8
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Cupertino, CA 7.8
Anaheim Hills Elementary Anaheim, CA 7.8
Aviara Oaks Elementary Carlsbad, CA 7.8
Bellevue Elementary Santa Rosa, CA 7.8
Bradley Elementary San Bernardino, CA 7.8

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 615 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary 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 Elementary rank in CA?

Cottonwood Elementary is ranked #1789 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood Elementary 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 Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary has 44.4% math proficiency and 58.8% 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?

57.1% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,441/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palmdale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Westside Union Elementary
District Enrollment
9,138
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,325
District Rank
#1 of 12

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 methodology

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