Below Average
#7718 of 9,533 schools in CA
Dona Merced Elementary
Elementary School · Central Elementary
10333 Palo Alto, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher
23.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rancho Cucamonga
#10 of 14
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,576 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 7
Central Elementary
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Dona Merced Elementary
Dona Merced Elementary is a regular public school located in the suburban community of Rancho Cucamonga, California. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Dona Merced has an enrollment of 549 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.9:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance shows that 51% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while 45% meet proficiency standards in Math.
With these scores, the school is rated at the 53rd percentile statewide, indicating there is room for academic growth. Dona Merced Elementary is situated in a large suburban area with easy access to local amenities and community resources. The setting provides students with a supportive environment that fosters learning and development.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Dona Merced Elementary is 23.9:1, 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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Dona Merced Elementary — Students at Dona Merced Elementary score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
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: 3.3/10.
How Dona Merced Elementary Compares
See how Dona Merced Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 42.23% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 48.97% (2024).
Location
10333 Palo Alto, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dona Merced Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Victoria Groves Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Alta Loma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Canyon Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Alta Loma), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rancho Cucamonga, see our Rancho Cucamonga schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF ED INC- DBA MONTESSORI ACAD Rancho Cucamonga | 0.6 mi | — |
| Ruth Musser Middle Rancho Cucamonga | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Deer Canyon Elementary Alta Loma | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Elementary Rancho Cucamonga | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Coyote Canyon Elementary Rancho Cucamonga | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Victoria Groves Elementary Alta Loma | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| United Christian Academy Rancho Cucamonga | 1.2 mi | — |
| UNITED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rancho Cucamonga | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Alta Loma Elementary Alta Loma | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Vineyard Junior High Alta Loma | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Cucamonga Middle Rancho Cucamonga | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| HIGHLAND AVENUE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rancho Cucamonga | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Rancho Cucamonga Middle Rancho Cucamonga | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Cucamonga Elementary Rancho Cucamonga | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Ansaar Academy Rancho Cucamonga | 1.5 mi | — |
| Fröhlich International Preparatory Academy Rancho Cucamonga | 1.7 mi | — |
| Terra Vista Elementary Rancho Cucamonga | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Banyan Elementary Alta Loma | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| FOUNTAIN OF TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rancho Cucamonga | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Fountain of Truth Christian Academy Rancho Cucamonga | 1.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91730 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,654
Median Home Value
$595,400
Median Rent
$2,240/mo
Population
71,692
College Educated
32.5%
Homeownership
48.4%
Avg Commute
31.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
34.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dona Merced Elementary has a median household income of $89,654. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $595,400, with a median rent of $2,240/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
| 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 |
| Bella Mente Montessori Academy Vista, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dona Merced Elementary
What grades does Dona Merced Elementary serve?
Dona Merced Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Dona Merced Elementary?
Dona Merced Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 549 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dona Merced Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dona Merced Elementary is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dona Merced Elementary rank in CA?
Dona Merced Elementary is ranked #7718 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Dona Merced Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dona Merced 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 Dona Merced Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dona Merced Elementary has 44.8% math proficiency and 51.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dona Merced Elementary a charter school?
No, Dona Merced Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dona Merced Elementary a Title I school?
No, Dona Merced Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dona Merced Elementary?
70.1% of students at Dona Merced 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 (2,116/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rancho Cucamonga). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 549
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Phone
- (909) 980-1600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,327
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,091
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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