Excellent
#7 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 1% in state
Donner Trail Elementary
Elementary School · Tahoe-Truckee Unified
PO Box 809, Soda Springs, CA 95728
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
19:1
Score
9.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
19:1
Score
9.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7 of 9,539
In district
#1 of 10
Tahoe-Truckee Unified
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Donner Trail Elementary
Elementary School in Soda Springs · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sugar Bowl Academy
6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wild River - Coldstream Campus
12.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Donner Trail Elementary
Donner Trail Elementary is a public elementary school in Soda Springs, CA, part of Tahoe-Truckee Unified. Donner Trail Elementary serves approximately 57 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Donner Trail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 out of 10 and ranks #7 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Donner Trail Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 9.8 · Excellent
- District avg 8.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 57 students, Donner Trail Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Donner Trail Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Donner Trail Elementary — Students at Donner Trail Elementary score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Donner Trail Elementary Compares
See how Donner Trail Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 809, Soda Springs, CA 95728
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Donner Trail Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glenshire Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Truckee), with a comparable rating. Another option is Tahoe Lake Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Tahoe City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Creekside Charter (rated 7.7/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Olympic Valley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Soda Springs, see our Soda Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 27.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SUGAR BOWL ACADEMY Norden | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Wild River - Coldstream Campus Truckee | 12.2 mi | — |
| Truckee Elementary Truckee | 12.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Tahoe Truckee High Truckee | 12.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Cold Stream Alternative Truckee | 13.0 mi | — |
| Sierra High (Continuation) Truckee | 13.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Creekside Charter Olympic Valley | 14.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Sierra Expeditionary Learning Truckee | 13.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Lake Tahoe Preparatory School Olympic Valley | 15.4 mi | — |
| LAKE TAHOE PREPATORY SCHOOL Olympic Valley | 15.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Alder Creek Middle Truckee | 15.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Tahoe Expedition Academy Truckee | 15.6 mi | — |
| TAHOE EXPEDITION ACADEMY Truckee | 16.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Wild River - Haskatasun Truckee | 17.8 mi | — |
| Tahoe Lake Elementary Tahoe City | 19.5 mi | 7.8 |
| North Tahoe High Tahoe City | 19.8 mi | 7.8 |
| North Tahoe Middle Tahoe City | 19.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Glenshire Elementary Truckee | 19.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Alta-Dutch Flat Elementary Alta | 20.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Loyalton Elementary Loyalton | 27.4 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95728 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$113,224
Median Home Value
$977,700
Population
593
College Educated
74.9%
Homeownership
83.9%
Poverty Rate
0%
Median Age
48.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Latrobe Elementary Shingle Springs, CA | 9.8 |
| Round Valley Elementary Bishop, CA | 9.6 |
| Global Education Academy 2 Los Angeles, CA | 9.5 |
| Cressey Elementary Ballico, CA | 9.4 |
| Garfield Elementary Eureka, CA | 9.4 |
| Junction City Elementary Junction City, CA | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Donner Trail Elementary
What grades does Donner Trail Elementary serve?
Donner Trail Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Donner Trail Elementary?
Donner Trail Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Donner Trail Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Donner Trail Elementary is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Donner Trail Elementary rank in CA?
Donner Trail Elementary ranks #7 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Donner Trail Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Donner Trail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 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 Donner Trail Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Donner Trail Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Donner Trail Elementary a charter school?
No, Donner Trail Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Donner Trail Elementary a Title I school?
No, Donner Trail Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Donner Trail Elementary?
7.0% of students at Donner Trail 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 57
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 7.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Nevada County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.3%
- Phone
- (530) 582-2720
Resources & Links
District
Tahoe-Truckee Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,920
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,692
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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