Average
#6345 of 9,533 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
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
843
Student-Teacher
25.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murrieta
#14 of 24
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,787 of 5,817
In district
#12 of 19
Murrieta Valley Unified
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in Murrieta, located in Riverside County's large suburban area. The school enrolls 843 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25.5 to 1, supported by 33 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, the school has room for growth in both core subjects. About 51% of students across all grades score proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 54% reach proficiency in math. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks in California's 63rd percentile among elementary schools statewide, placing it at #3509 out of 9566 schools.
With its solid enrollment and suburban setting, Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary is a neighborhood school focused on serving the Murrieta community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary is 25.5:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary — Students at Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 10 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: 5.2/10.
How Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary Compares
See how Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 54.34% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 48.27% (2024).
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. Monte Vista Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WILD ROOTS HOLISTIC LEARNING CENTER (rated 6.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Temecula), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ysabel Barnett Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Temecula), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.8 |
| ABC Child Care Village Temecula | 0.6 mi | — |
| Warm Springs Middle Murrieta | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Chaparral High Temecula | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Alta Murrieta Elementary Murrieta | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| James L. Day Middle Temecula | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| MethodSchools Murrieta | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Nicolas Valley Elementary Temecula | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Temecula International Academy Temecula | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary has a median household income of $118,519. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $615,700, with a median rent of $2,588/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 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 |
|---|---|
| Alianza Charter Watsonville, CA | 5.6 |
| Ann B. Leavenworth Fresno, CA | 5.6 |
| Anthony Spangler Elementary Milpitas, CA | 5.6 |
| Bardin Elementary Salinas, CA | 5.6 |
| Brentwood Elementary Brentwood, CA | 5.6 |
| Bridgeway Island Elementary West Sacramento, CA | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #6345 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary has 54.2% math proficiency and 50.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,141/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Murrieta). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (951) 696-1428
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Murrieta Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 22,317
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,074
- District Rank
- #12 of 19
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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