Needs Improvement
#9110 of 9,533 schools in CA
Golden Valley River
Elementary School · Golden Valley River District
9601 Lake Natoma Dr., Orangevale, CA 95662
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orangevale
#11 of 12
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,491 of 5,817
About Golden Valley River
Golden Valley River is a charter elementary school located in the Orangevale area of Sacramento County, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 305 students with a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1. There are 13 full-time equivalent teachers at Golden Valley River.
The academic performance of Golden Valley River shows some areas where the school is focusing on improvement. The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 4.0 out of 10, and it ranks at #6918 among all California schools, placing it in the 28th percentile overall. Specifically, 48% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 28% are proficient or above in math.
Golden Valley River is situated in a large suburban area with easy access to amenities like Lake Natoma. The school provides a community-oriented learning environment for its diverse student body, working diligently to support academic growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley River is 23.5:1, 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.
Golden Valley River is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Golden Valley River — Students at Golden Valley River score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 2.9/10.
How Golden Valley River Compares
See how Golden Valley River performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 26.63% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 45.29% (2024).
Location
9601 Lake Natoma Dr., Orangevale, CA 95662
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Golden Valley River may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carl H. Sundahl Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Folsom), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pershing Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Theodore Judah Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Folsom), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Orangevale, see our Orangevale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Twin Lakes Elementary Orangevale | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| FOLSOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Folsom | 1.1 mi | — |
| ODYSSEY LEARNING CENTER Orangevale | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Odyssey Learning Center Orangevale | 1.5 mi | — |
| Golden Valley Orchard Orangevale | 1.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Ottomon Way Elementary Orangevale | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Sutter Middle Folsom | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| ORANGEVALE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Orangevale | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Orangevale Seventh-day Adventist Orangevale | 1.4 mi | — |
| Pershing Elementary Orangevale | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| FOLSOM LAKE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Folsom | 1.6 mi | — |
| SUNDANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Folsom | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| South Sutter Orangevale | 1.8 mi | — |
| Natoma Station Elementary Folsom | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Green Oaks Fundamental Elementary Orangevale | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Theodore Judah Elementary Folsom | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| House of Bread Christian Academy Orangevale | 1.8 mi | — |
| Casa Roble Fundamental High Orangevale | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Louis Pasteur Fundamental Middle Orangevale | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Carl H. Sundahl Elementary Folsom | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95662 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,613
Median Home Value
$500,000
Median Rent
$1,841/mo
Population
31,895
College Educated
29.5%
Homeownership
76.4%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Golden Valley River has a median household income of $93,613. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,000, with a median rent of $1,841/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Bess Maxwell Elementary Crescent City, CA | 3.7 |
| Birch Grove Primary Newark, CA | 3.7 |
| Coarsegold Elementary Coarsegold, CA | 3.7 |
| Curtis Creek Elementary Sonora, CA | 3.7 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (CHANGED THE NAME 6/15) Escondido, CA | 3.7 |
| Grover Beach Elementary Grover Beach, CA | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Golden Valley River
What grades does Golden Valley River serve?
Golden Valley River serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Golden Valley River?
Golden Valley River has an enrollment of approximately 305 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley River?
The student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley River is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Golden Valley River rank in CA?
Golden Valley River is ranked #9110 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Golden Valley River's MySchoolScout rating?
Golden Valley River has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Golden Valley River?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Golden Valley River has 27.5% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Golden Valley River a charter school?
Yes, Golden Valley River is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Golden Valley River a Title I school?
No, Golden Valley River is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Golden Valley River?
32.1% of students at Golden Valley River 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
- Elevated (726/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 305
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sacramento County
- Phone
- (916) 987-6141
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Golden Valley River District- District Enrollment
- 305
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,000
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- 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
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.