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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.4%
Math vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,627

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.4%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 54.4%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2024
Math
43.1%
ELA
52.1%

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.

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School Sacramento 0.3 mi
PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED MARY SCHOOL Sacramento 0.4 mi 5.8
Mira Loma High Sacramento 0.5 mi 7.3
Whitney Avenue Elementary Sacramento 0.4 mi 3.8
SIERRA UPPER SCHOOL OF SACRAMENT0 Sacramento 0.6 mi 7.1
Arcade Fundamental Middle Sacramento 0.6 mi 3.8
ALDAR ACADEMY Sacramento 0.8 mi 4.4
Aldar Academy Sacramento 0.8 mi
Del Paso Manor Elementary Sacramento 0.9 mi 6.5
Pasadena Avenue Elementary Sacramento 0.9 mi 3.5
Mission Avenue Open Elementary Carmichael 1.0 mi 4.9
El Camino Fundamental High Sacramento 1.3 mi 4.8
Winston Churchill Middle Carmichael 1.2 mi 6.9
San Juan Choices Charter Sacramento 1.7 mi 6.3
Oakdale Elementary North Highlands 1.9 mi 5.5
WONDER-LAND CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE Carmichael 1.5 mi
St. Michael's Episcopal Day School Carmichael 1.8 mi
Cottage Elementary Sacramento 1.8 mi 2.9
Visions In Education Carmichael 1.8 mi 6.0
Gabriele Academy International Sacramento 2.1 mi

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Juan Unified
District Enrollment
38,488
Schools in District
68
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,374
District Rank
#48 of 65

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 methodology

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