Average
#5759 of 9,539 schools in CA
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary
Elementary School · Murrieta Valley Unified
40121 Torrey Pines Rd., Murrieta, CA 92563
Enrollment
843
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
843
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,759 of 9,539
In Murrieta
#20 of 24
public schools
In district
#17 of 19
Murrieta Valley Unified
Equity
8.4 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary
Elementary School in Murrieta · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ysabel Barnett Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Abc Child Care Village
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary is a public elementary school in Murrieta, CA, part of Murrieta Valley Unified. Daniel N.
Buchanan Elementary serves approximately 843 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,759 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 6.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary runs 25.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary — Students at Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.
How Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary Compares
See how Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
40121 Torrey Pines Rd., Murrieta, CA 92563
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WILD ROOTS HOLISTIC LEARNING CENTER (rated 6.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Temecula), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Monte Vista Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Alta Murrieta Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Murrieta, see our Murrieta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ysabel Barnett Elementary Temecula | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| ABC Child Care Village Temecula | 0.6 mi | — |
| Warm Springs Middle Murrieta | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Chaparral High Temecula | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Alta Murrieta Elementary Murrieta | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| James L. Day Middle Temecula | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| MethodSchools Murrieta | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| CONCORD LUTHERAN ACADEMY Temecula | 1.7 mi | — |
| PROMISE CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL Murrieta | 1.7 mi | — |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA HIGH SCHOOL Murrieta | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| The University of America High School Temecula | 2.0 mi | — |
| Big Springs School Temecula Temecula | 2.1 mi | — |
| BIG SPRINGS CENTER & SCHOOL Temecula | 2.1 mi | — |
| WILD ROOTS HOLISTIC LEARNING CENTER Temecula | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Wild Roots Holistic Learning Center Temecula | 2.2 mi | — |
| TEMECULA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Temecula | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| ABC Child Care Center Temecula | 2.2 mi | — |
| Monte Vista Elementary Murrieta | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Nicolas Valley Elementary Temecula | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Temecula International Academy Temecula | 2.0 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92563 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,519
Median Home Value
$615,700
Median Rent
$2,588/mo
Population
77,860
College Educated
32.6%
Homeownership
74.6%
Avg Commute
38.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
35.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avalon Elementary Perris, CA | 5.8 |
| California iInspire Academy Orange, CA | 5.8 |
| Castroville Elementary Castroville, CA | 5.8 |
| Centennial Elementary Fresno, CA | 5.8 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Madera, CA | 5.8 |
| Denton Elementary Visalia, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary
What grades does Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary serve?
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary?
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 843 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary is 25.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary rank in CA?
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary ranks #5,759 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary a charter school?
No, Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary a Title I school?
No, Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary?
58.6% of students at Daniel N. Buchanan 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 843
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.0%
- Phone
- (951) 696-1428
Resources & Links
District
Murrieta Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,317
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,074
- District Rank
- #17 of 19
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.