Average
#7043 of 9,533 schools in CA
Deer Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Nevada City Elementary
805 Lindley Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Nevada City
#6 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,168 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 2
Nevada City Elementary
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Deer Creek Elementary
Deer Creek Elementary serves 274 students in kindergarten through third grade in Nevada City, California. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1, providing a solid foundation for early elementary education. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #2091 out of 9,566 California elementary schools.
Student achievement shows particular strength in mathematics, with 56% of students performing at proficient or above levels, while 49% meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Located at 805 Lindley Ave., Deer Creek Elementary sits within a well-established community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability with a median household income of $75,625 and a relatively low poverty rate of 11.9%.
Median home values of $562,900 indicate a community that values education and invests in quality schools. As a regular public school focusing on the crucial early elementary years, Deer Creek Elementary provides students with fundamental academic skills in a supportive environment. The school serves families in this charming Nevada County town, where nearly 18,000 residents enjoy the benefits of small-town living with educational excellence.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Deer Creek Elementary is 21.1:1, 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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Deer Creek Elementary — Students at Deer Creek Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.5/10.
How Deer Creek Elementary Compares
See how Deer Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 56.41% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 48.72% (2024).
Location
805 Lindley Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Deer Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bell Hill Academy (rated 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Twin Ridges Home Study Charter (rated 7.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union Hill Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nevada City, see our Nevada City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada County Special Education Nevada City | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Earle Jamieson Educational Options Nevada City | 0.2 mi | — |
| Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Forest Charter Nevada City | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Twin Ridges Home Study Charter Nevada City | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning Nevada City | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Bitney Prep High Grass Valley | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Echo Ridge Christian School Nevada City | 1.4 mi | — |
| ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Nevada Union High Grass Valley | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| North Point Academy Grass Valley | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Union Hill Middle Grass Valley | 3.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley | 3.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley | 3.3 mi | — |
| Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley | 3.2 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95959 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,509
Median Home Value
$603,200
Median Rent
$1,715/mo
Population
18,017
College Educated
45.4%
Homeownership
77.4%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
54.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Deer Creek Elementary has a median household income of $79,509. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $603,200, with a median rent of $1,715/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albany Park Elementary Delano, CA | 5.3 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA | 5.3 |
| Avondale Elementary La Mesa, CA | 5.3 |
| Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo, CA | 5.3 |
| Burbank Elementary San Diego, CA | 5.3 |
| Chapman Elementary Chico, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Deer Creek Elementary
What grades does Deer Creek Elementary serve?
Deer Creek Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.
How many students attend Deer Creek Elementary?
Deer Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Deer Creek Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Deer Creek Elementary is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Deer Creek Elementary rank in CA?
Deer Creek Elementary is ranked #7043 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Deer Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Deer Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Deer Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Deer Creek Elementary has 57.3% math proficiency and 54.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Deer Creek Elementary a charter school?
No, Deer Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Deer Creek Elementary a Title I school?
No, Deer Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Deer Creek Elementary?
36.5% of students at Deer Creek 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
- High (3,046/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nevada City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 274
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Nevada County
- Phone
- (530) 265-1870
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nevada City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 705
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,570
- District Rank
- #2 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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