Needs Improvement
#9018 of 9,539 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
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
527
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,018 of 9,539
In Merced
#34 of 37
public schools
In district
#18 of 19
Merced City Elementary
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Don Stowell Elementary
Elementary School in Merced · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sequoia High
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Yosemite High (continuation)
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Don Stowell Elementary
Don Stowell Elementary is a public elementary school in Merced, CA, part of Merced City Elementary. Don Stowell Elementary serves approximately 527 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24:1 student-teacher ratio. Don Stowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #9,018 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Don Stowell Elementary show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Don Stowell Elementary runs 24:1 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.
38% of students at Don Stowell Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 32 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: 3.5/10.
How Don Stowell Elementary Compares
See how Don Stowell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Luther Burbank Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Leontine Gracey Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Farmdale Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.3 |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Farmdale Elementary Merced | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Tenaya Middle Merced | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 1.3 mi | — |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Golden Valley High Merced | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Margaret Sheehy Elementary Merced | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Merced High Merced | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Leontine Gracey Elementary Merced | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Valley Merced Community Merced | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Merced Scholars Charter Merced | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 3.5 |
| August Knodt Elementary Manteca, CA | 3.5 |
| Barnett Elementary Ramona, CA | 3.5 |
| Cedar Lane Elementary Olivehurst, CA | 3.5 |
| Charlotte N. Werner Elementary Rialto, CA | 3.5 |
| Citrus Glen Elementary Ventura, CA | 3.5 |
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 ranks #9,018 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Don Stowell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Don Stowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Don Stowell Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Don Stowell Elementary has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.6%
- Phone
- (209) 381-2803
Resources & Links
District
Merced City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 11,013
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,186
- District Rank
- #18 of 19
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