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Needs Improvement

#9170 of 9,539 schools in CA

Golden Valley River

Elementary School · Golden Valley River District

9601 Lake Natoma Dr., Orangevale, CA 95662

Charter

Enrollment

305

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

3.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,170 of 9,539

In Orangevale

#12 of 12

public schools

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Golden Valley River

3.2/10

Elementary School in Orangevale · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Twin Lakes Elementary

5.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Folsom Montessori School

Nearby

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Golden Valley River

Golden Valley River is a public elementary school in Orangevale, CA, part of Golden Valley River District. Golden Valley River serves approximately 305 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 23.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Golden Valley River has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #9,170 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Golden Valley River show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares3.0 pts below CA schools
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Golden Valley River runs 23.5:1 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.

Golden Valley River is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,000
Chronic Absenteeism29.2%

Golden Valley River — Students at Golden Valley River score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.0% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 49.1% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 20 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
18.1%
ELA
37.9%
2024
Math
26.9%
ELA
45.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.

How Golden Valley River Compares

See how Golden Valley River performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

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 9.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Folsom), which scores notably higher. Another option is Theodore Judah Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Folsom), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pershing Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away), 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 5.3
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 3.2
Ottomon Way Elementary Orangevale 1.6 mi 4.2
Sutter Middle Folsom 1.3 mi 7.3
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 7.2
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 6.8
Green Oaks Fundamental Elementary Orangevale 1.9 mi 6.0
Theodore Judah Elementary Folsom 1.7 mi 8.9
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 6.0
Carl H. Sundahl Elementary Folsom 2.1 mi 9.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Rosa, CA 3.2
Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA 3.2
Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto, CA 3.2
Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA 3.2
Arlington Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA 3.2
Costano Elementary East Palo Alto, CA 3.2

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 ranks #9,170 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Golden Valley River's MySchoolScout rating?

Golden Valley River has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Golden Valley River?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Golden Valley River has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

District

Golden Valley River District
District Enrollment
305
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,000
District Rank
#1 of 1

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