Average
#4523 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 47% in state
Heron
Elementary School · Natomas Unified
5151 Banfield Dr., Sacramento, CA 95835
Enrollment
1,045
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,045
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sacramento
#68 of 196
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,819 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 19
Natomas Unified
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Heron
Heron Elementary School serves 1,045 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Sacramento, California. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8 to 1, providing a substantial learning community for families in the area. Academically, Heron demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 66th percentile among California schools, placing it at #3,280 out of 9,566 schools statewide.
Students show stronger performance in English Language Arts, with 57% achieving proficiency or above, while mathematics results show 44% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating opportunities for continued growth in this subject area. The school serves a well-established neighborhood where families value education, with 51% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community enjoys economic stability, with a median household income of $114,201 and a low poverty rate of 4.5%.
Home values in the area average $531,900, reflecting the desirability of this Sacramento location. Located on Banfield Drive in this thriving large city setting, Heron Elementary operates within a community that provides strong support for educational achievement and family life.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Heron is 23.8:1, 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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Heron — Students at Heron score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Heron Compares
See how Heron performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 44.21% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 57.19% (2024).
Location
5151 Banfield Dr., Sacramento, CA 95835
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Heron may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Regency Park Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Witter Ranch Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Inderkum High Sacramento | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Natomas Park Elementary Sacramento | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Westlake Charter Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Regency Park Elementary Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Natomas Charter Sacramento | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Natomas Middle Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| H. Allen Hight Elementary Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| JIE PING ACADEMY Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| SAVA - Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy Sacramento | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Shawna Huston Sacramento | 2.3 mi | — |
| Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Sacramento | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Middle Sacramento | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Witter Ranch Elementary Sacramento | 2.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Elementary Sacramento | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Discovery High Sacramento | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| 21st Century STEM Academy Sacramento | 2.3 mi | — |
| Paso Verde Sacramento | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| DAR-UL-MADINAH Sacramento | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Dar-ul-Madinah Sacramento | 2.4 mi | — |
| Natomas High Sacramento | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95835 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$114,413
Median Home Value
$588,300
Median Rent
$2,177/mo
Population
41,678
College Educated
50.6%
Homeownership
68.8%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Heron has a median household income of $114,413. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $588,300, with a median rent of $2,177/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| Alameda Elementary Downey, CA | 6.4 |
| Bridgeport Elementary Valencia, CA | 6.4 |
| Castle Rock Elementary Diamond Bar, CA | 6.4 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Madera, CA | 6.4 |
| Cielo Vista Charter Palm Springs, CA | 6.4 |
| Double Peak San Marcos, CA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Heron
What grades does Heron serve?
Heron serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Heron?
Heron has an enrollment of approximately 1,045 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Heron?
The student-teacher ratio at Heron is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Heron rank in CA?
Heron is ranked #4523 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Heron's MySchoolScout rating?
Heron has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Heron?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Heron has 41.2% math proficiency and 54.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Heron a charter school?
No, Heron is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Heron a Title I school?
No, Heron is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heron?
28.9% of students at Heron 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
- Walk Score
- 38 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 25 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 61 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,332/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sacramento). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,045
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Sacramento County
- Phone
- (916) 567-5680
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Natomas Unified- District Enrollment
- 14,950
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,964
- District Rank
- #6 of 19
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.
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