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Needs Improvement

#8869 of 9,539 schools in CA

Heights Elementary

Elementary School · Pittsburg Unified

163 Alturas Ave., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Enrollment

521

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,869 of 9,539

In Pittsburg

#14 of 15

public schools

In district

#12 of 13

Pittsburg Unified

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Heights Elementary

3.7/10

Elementary School in Pittsburg · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hillview Junior High

4.2/10

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

Los Medanos Elementary

4.0/10

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

About Heights Elementary

Heights Elementary is a public elementary school in Pittsburg, CA, part of Pittsburg Unified. Heights Elementary serves approximately 521 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #8,869 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Heights Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Heights Elementary runs 22.7:1 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.

46% of students at Heights Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,044
Chronic Absenteeism45.7%

Heights Elementary — Students at Heights Elementary score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
61%
ELA
43%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
21.5%
ELA
28.8%
2024
Math
27.2%
ELA
33.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.

How Heights Elementary Compares

See how Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in CA
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.7%

Location

163 Alturas Ave., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PETER MARTYR (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Foothill Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marina Vista Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pittsburg, see our Pittsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hillview Junior High Pittsburg 0.6 mi 4.2
Los Medanos Elementary Pittsburg 0.8 mi 4.0
Spectrum Center Delta Campus Pittsburg 0.7 mi
Highlands Elementary Pittsburg 0.9 mi 4.5
Parkside Elementary Pittsburg 1.2 mi 4.2
Rancho Medanos Junior High Pittsburg 1.0 mi 6.4
Pittsburg Senior High Pittsburg 1.3 mi 5.1
Black Diamond High (Continuation) Pittsburg 1.3 mi 6.3
Golden Gate Community Pittsburg 1.3 mi 6.0
Foothill Elementary Pittsburg 1.5 mi 5.5
Marina Vista Elementary Pittsburg 1.8 mi 4.8
Stoneman Elementary Pittsburg 1.5 mi 3.2
ST PETER MARTYR Pittsburg 2.0 mi 5.8
St. Peter Martyr Elementary Pittsburg 2.0 mi
Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High Pittsburg 1.7 mi 5.0
Destiny Academy Pittsburg 1.7 mi
Willow Cove Elementary Pittsburg 2.0 mi 4.5
Bel Air Elementary Bay Point 2.4 mi 2.9
Above and Beyond Academy Bay Point 2.6 mi
Turner Elementary Antioch 2.6 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94565 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,035

Median Home Value

$563,300

Median Rent

$2,145/mo

Population

99,933

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

60.2%

Avg Commute

38 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alexander Hamilton Elementary Stockton, CA 3.7
Almond Elementary Fontana, CA 3.7
Campo Elementary Campo, CA 3.7
Carmen Dragon Elementary Antioch, CA 3.7
Carriage Drive Elementary Citrus Heights, CA 3.7
Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio, CA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Heights Elementary

What grades does Heights Elementary serve?

Heights Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Heights Elementary?

Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 521 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Heights Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Heights Elementary is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Heights Elementary rank in CA?

Heights Elementary ranks #8,869 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Heights Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Heights Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Heights Elementary a charter school?

No, Heights Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Heights Elementary a Title I school?

No, Heights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heights Elementary?

79.7% of students at Heights 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Contra Costa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.7%

District

Pittsburg Unified
District Enrollment
10,709
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,044
District Rank
#12 of 13

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