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
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
28:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 46.81% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 60.5% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (661) 267-2825
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Westside Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 9,138
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,325
- District Rank
- #1 of 12
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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