Very Good
#1967 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 21% in state
Cuyama Elementary
Elementary School · Cuyama Joint Unified
2300 Highway 166, New Cuyama, CA 93254
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Cuyama
#1 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,380 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 2
Cuyama Joint Unified
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Cuyama Elementary
Cuyama Elementary is a small rural school located in New Cuyama, California, nestled along Highway 166. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 108 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is quite remote, offering a close-knit community feel where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student.
Cuyama Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating reflects that there is room for academic growth, as the school ranks at #4737 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 50th percentile. The ELA and reading proficiency rate stands at 37%, while math proficiency sits at 19%. These scores highlight areas where the school is focusing on student development.
Despite its challenges, Cuyama Elementary provides a supportive environment for students in this remote rural area.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 108 students, Cuyama Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Cuyama Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cuyama Elementary — Students at Cuyama Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
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
→ 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: 7.7/10.
How Cuyama Elementary Compares
See how Cuyama Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 20.27% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 40.54% (2024).
Location
2300 Highway 166, New Cuyama, CA 93254
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cuyama Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Midway Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Fellows), which scores notably higher. Another option is Peak to Peak Mountain Charter (rated 8.3/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Mountain Club), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Elk Hills Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Tupman), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New Cuyama, see our New Cuyama schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| California Connections Academy Central Coast San Juan Capistrano | 0.0 mi | 2.3 |
| Cuyama Valley High New Cuyama | 3.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Heartland Charter Maricopa | 14.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Blue Ridge Academy San Dimas | 14.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Maricopa Elementary Maricopa | 14.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Maricopa High Maricopa | 14.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Maricopa Middle Maricopa | 14.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Parkview Elementary Taft | 16.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Conley Elementary Taft | 16.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Midway Elementary Fellows | 17.0 mi | 9.5 |
| Taft Union High Taft | 17.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Buena Vista High (Continuation) Taft | 17.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Taft Primary Taft | 17.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Taft | 17.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Junior High Taft | 17.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Jefferson Elementary Taft | 17.6 mi | 2.6 |
| McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick | 26.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Peak to Peak Mountain Charter Pine Mountain Club | 23.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Elk Hills Elementary Tupman | 29.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Buttonwillow Elementary Buttonwillow | 33.2 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93254 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,603
Median Home Value
$216,400
Population
794
College Educated
30.7%
Homeownership
83.6%
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
46.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cuyama Elementary has a median household income of $53,603. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,400. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CASA DI MIR MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Campbell, CA | 7.6 |
| CHILDRENS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Van Nuys, CA | 7.6 |
| GHS ACADEMY- GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL El Dorado Hills, CA | 7.6 |
| Justin Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 7.6 |
| KIRK O' THE VALLEY SCHOOL Reseda, CA | 7.6 |
| Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center Lemon Grove, CA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cuyama Elementary
What grades does Cuyama Elementary serve?
Cuyama Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Cuyama Elementary?
Cuyama Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cuyama Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cuyama Elementary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cuyama Elementary rank in CA?
Cuyama Elementary is ranked #1967 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Cuyama Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cuyama Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Cuyama Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cuyama Elementary has 19.1% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cuyama Elementary a charter school?
No, Cuyama Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cuyama Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cuyama Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cuyama Elementary?
83.3% of students at Cuyama 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 108
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Santa Barbara County
- Phone
- (661) 766-2642
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cuyama Joint Unified- District Enrollment
- 171
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,027
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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