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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.5%
Math vs. State Avg-25.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,064

Cuyama Elementary — Students at Cuyama Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 19.1%
School
State
36.4%
ELA Proficiency 37.3%
School
State
46.1%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
19.9%
ELA
39.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in CA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (281/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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