Needs Improvement
#9175 of 9,533 schools in CA
Empire Elementary
Elementary School · Empire Union Elementary
PO Box 1269, Empire, CA 95319
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Empire
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,537 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 6
Empire Union Elementary
About Empire Elementary
Empire Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Empire, California, in Stanislaus County. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 374 students and employs 16 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 23.4:1. The academic performance at Empire Elementary is currently rated 2.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it near the bottom among California schools with an ELA proficiency rate of 18% and a math proficiency rate of 12%.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement. Empire Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, providing students with a familiar setting that blends residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. The school aims to support its community through ongoing efforts to enhance academic programs and create a nurturing learning environment for all students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Empire Elementary is 23.4:1, 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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Empire Elementary — Students at Empire Elementary score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.6%
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: 3.0/10.
How Empire Elementary Compares
See how Empire Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 9.09% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 16.81% (2024).
Location
PO Box 1269, Empire, CA 95319
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Empire Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. La Rosa Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Ceres), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sonoma Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Modesto), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakewood Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Modesto), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Empire, see our Empire schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Teel School in Empire Empire | 0.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Norman N. Glick Middle Modesto | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Peter Johansen High Modesto | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Modesto | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Christine Sipherd Elementary Modesto | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| HUGHSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hughson | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Capistrano Elementary Modesto | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Freedom Elementary Modesto | 2.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Daniel J. Savage Middle Modesto | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Lakewood Elementary Modesto | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Samuel Vaughn Elementary Ceres | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Dickens (Billy Joe) High (Continuation) Hughson | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Valley Community Day Hughson | 3.2 mi | — |
| Mary Ann Sanders Elementary Modesto | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Sonoma Elementary Modesto | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Cesar Chavez Junior High Ceres | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| La Rosa Elementary Ceres | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Emilie J. Ross Middle Hughson | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Virginia Parks Elementary Modesto | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95319 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,904
Median Home Value
$328,800
Median Rent
$1,101/mo
Population
1,580
College Educated
9.5%
Homeownership
44.6%
Poverty Rate
24.8%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Empire Elementary has a median household income of $44,904. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $328,800, with a median rent of $1,101/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Stockton, CA | 3.6 |
| East Oakland Pride Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.6 |
| Glen View Elementary Gilroy, CA | 3.6 |
| H. W. Harkness Elementary Sacramento, CA | 3.6 |
| High Tech Elementary Chula Vista San Diego, CA | 3.6 |
| Laurel Elementary San Mateo, CA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Empire Elementary
What grades does Empire Elementary serve?
Empire Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Empire Elementary?
Empire Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Empire Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Empire Elementary is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Empire Elementary rank in CA?
Empire Elementary is ranked #9175 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Empire Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Empire Elementary has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Empire Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Empire Elementary has 11.8% math proficiency and 18.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Empire Elementary a charter school?
No, Empire Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Empire Elementary a Title I school?
No, Empire Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Empire Elementary?
90.6% of students at Empire 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
- County Safety
- Low (230/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 374
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Stanislaus County
- Phone
- (209) 521-2970
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Empire Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 2,825
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,531
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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