Below Average
#8616 of 9,533 schools in CA
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
Elementary School · San Juan Unified
3350 Becerra Way, Sacramento, CA 95821
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
25.4:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
25.4:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sacramento
#171 of 196
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,132 of 5,817
In district
#48 of 65
San Juan Unified
Equity
7.1 / 10
Strong
About James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is a public elementary school in Sacramento, California, serving kindergarten through sixth grade students. With an enrollment of 406 students and a student-teacher ratio of 25.4:1, the school provides a moderate level of individual attention.
Located in a large suburban area on Becerra Way, Cowan Fundamental offers a supportive learning environment focused on academic growth. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 reflects its current standing as part of California’s diverse educational landscape, ranking at #4716 among the state's nearly 9,600 schools. In terms of academics, Cowan Fundamental has an overall score of 7.2/10, with 54% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 45% are proficient or above in math.
While the school shows areas for improvement, it is committed to fostering a nurturing community where students can thrive both academically and socially. The suburban setting provides a quiet environment conducive to learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is 25.4:1, 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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James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary — Students at James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
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: 2.8/10.
How James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary Compares
See how James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 44.02% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 51.36% (2024).
Location
3350 Becerra Way, Sacramento, CA 95821
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Del Paso Manor Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED MARY SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oakdale Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby North Highlands), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95821 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,331
Median Home Value
$470,900
Median Rent
$1,342/mo
Population
38,372
College Educated
28.4%
Homeownership
48.3%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
19.5%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary has a median household income of $58,331. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $470,900, with a median rent of $1,342/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.5%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Alta Loma Elementary Alta Loma, CA | 4.3 |
| Calpella Elementary Ukiah, CA | 4.3 |
| Creative Arts Charter San Francisco, CA | 4.3 |
| Crestview Elementary Lompoc, CA | 4.3 |
| Dana Gray Elementary Fort Bragg, CA | 4.3 |
| Earl Warren Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary
What grades does James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary serve?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 406 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is 25.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary rank in CA?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is ranked #8616 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary has 45.4% math proficiency and 54.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary a charter school?
No, James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary a Title I school?
No, James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James R. Cowan Fundamental Elementary?
40.9% of students at James R. Cowan Fundamental 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
- City Safety
- High (3,332/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sacramento). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 406
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sacramento County
- Phone
- (916) 979-8240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Juan Unified- District Enrollment
- 38,488
- Schools in District
- 68
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,374
- District Rank
- #48 of 65
Other Schools in This District
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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