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Below Average

#8217 of 9,539 schools in CA

John Muir Elementary

Elementary School · Modesto City Elementary

1215 Lucerne Ave., Modesto, CA 95350

Enrollment

555

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,217 of 9,539

In Modesto

#52 of 70

public schools

In district

#18 of 26

Modesto City Elementary

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John Muir Elementary

4.3/10

Elementary School in Modesto · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Thomas Downey High

5.0/10

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

Rose Avenue Elementary

3.0/10

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

About John Muir Elementary

John Muir Elementary is a public elementary school in Modesto, CA, part of Modesto City Elementary. John Muir Elementary serves approximately 555 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. John Muir Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #8,217 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for John Muir Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

John Muir Elementary runs 23.1:1 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.

40% of students at John Muir 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 Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Chronic Absenteeism40.2%

John Muir Elementary — Students at John Muir Elementary score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 33.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 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
55%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
44%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
25%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
20.8%
ELA
32.1%
2024
Math
25.6%
ELA
35.8%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How John Muir Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
14th percentile in CA
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1215 Lucerne Ave., Modesto, CA 95350

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Muir Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Enslen Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Vista Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sonoma Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Modesto, see our Modesto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Thomas Downey High Modesto 0.3 mi 5.0
Rose Avenue Elementary Modesto 0.7 mi 3.0
Wilson Elementary Modesto 0.9 mi 4.3
La Loma Junior High Modesto 0.8 mi 5.0
Robert Elliott Alternative Education Center Modesto 0.9 mi 4.2
ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Modesto 1.0 mi
Coleman F. Brown Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 2.3
Stanislaus Alternative Charter Modesto 1.3 mi 2.7
Standiford Elementary Modesto 1.5 mi 5.0
El Vista Elementary Modesto 1.3 mi 7.5
Enslen Elementary Modesto 1.3 mi 7.8
Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley Waterford 1.5 mi 7.7
Somerset Middle Modesto 1.8 mi 4.8
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Modesto 1.6 mi 6.8
Orville Wright Elementary Modesto 1.9 mi 2.9
Orchard Elementary Modesto 1.7 mi 4.1
Sylvan Elementary Modesto 1.9 mi 3.6
Sonoma Elementary Modesto 1.6 mi 7.4
Sherwood Elementary Modesto 2.1 mi 4.3
Roosevelt Junior High Modesto 1.8 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95350 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,611

Median Home Value

$397,100

Median Rent

$1,483/mo

Population

55,984

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

57.2%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Andrew Jackson Elementary Indio, CA 4.3
Avocado Elementary La Mesa, CA 4.3
Aynesworth Elementary Fresno, CA 4.3
B. Gale Wilson Middle Fairfield, CA 4.3
Barton (Clara) Elementary Anaheim, CA 4.3
Bear Gulch Elementary Rancho Cucamonga, CA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Muir Elementary

What grades does John Muir Elementary serve?

John Muir Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend John Muir Elementary?

John Muir Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 555 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Muir Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at John Muir Elementary is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Muir Elementary rank in CA?

John Muir Elementary ranks #8,217 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is John Muir Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Muir Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 John Muir Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Muir Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is John Muir Elementary a charter school?

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

Is John Muir Elementary a Title I school?

No, John Muir Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

87.0% of students at John Muir 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
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
555
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Stanislaus County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.2%

District

Modesto City Elementary
District Enrollment
14,137
Schools in District
26
District Rank
#18 of 26

How we rate schools

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