Below Average
#7756 of 9,533 schools in CA
Don Stowell Elementary
Elementary School · Merced City Elementary
251 East 11th St., Merced, CA 95340
Enrollment
527
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
527
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#25 of 37
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,603 of 5,817
In district
#11 of 19
Merced City Elementary
About Don Stowell Elementary
Don Stowell Elementary is a regular public school located in the heart of Merced, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 527 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Don Stowell aims to provide a nurturing environment for young learners.
Academically, Don Stowell Elementary is in need of improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #9078 out of 9566 schools in California. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 20%, while the Math proficiency rate is 14%. These scores suggest areas where the school can focus on enhancing student development.
Don Stowell Elementary is situated in a small city, offering students easy access to local amenities and community resources. Despite the academic challenges, the school remains committed to supporting its diverse group of learners in Merced’s vibrant educational landscape.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Don Stowell Elementary is 24:1, 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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Don Stowell Elementary — Students at Don Stowell Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 5.8/10.
How Don Stowell Elementary Compares
See how Don Stowell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 12.42% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 19.33% (2024).
Location
251 East 11th St., Merced, CA 95340
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Don Stowell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Leontine Gracey Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charles Wright Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Farmdale Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sequoia High Merced | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Farmdale Elementary Merced | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Tenaya Middle Merced | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 1.3 mi | — |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Golden Valley High Merced | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Margaret Sheehy Elementary Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 1.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Merced High Merced | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Leontine Gracey Elementary Merced | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Valley Merced Community Merced | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Merced Scholars Charter Merced | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95340 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,141
Median Home Value
$383,200
Median Rent
$1,204/mo
Population
38,045
College Educated
26.2%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Don Stowell Elementary has a median household income of $65,141. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $383,200, with a median rent of $1,204/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Allen at Steinbeck San Jose, CA | 4.9 |
| Aspire Inskeep Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 4.9 |
| Baker Elementary El Monte, CA | 4.9 |
| Baldwin Stocker Elementary Arcadia, CA | 4.9 |
| Barbara Webster Elementary Santa Paula, CA | 4.9 |
| Bel Air Elementary Bay Point, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Don Stowell Elementary
What grades does Don Stowell Elementary serve?
Don Stowell Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Don Stowell Elementary?
Don Stowell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 527 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Don Stowell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Don Stowell Elementary is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Don Stowell Elementary rank in CA?
Don Stowell Elementary is ranked #7756 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Don Stowell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Don Stowell Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Don Stowell Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Don Stowell Elementary has 14.2% math proficiency and 19.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Don Stowell Elementary a charter school?
No, Don Stowell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Don Stowell Elementary a Title I school?
No, Don Stowell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Don Stowell Elementary?
96.4% of students at Don Stowell 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 (3,653/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merced). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 527
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 381-2803
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merced City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 11,013
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,186
- District Rank
- #11 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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