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Below Average

#7720 of 9,539 schools in CA

Joshua Cowell Elementary

Elementary School · Manteca Unified

PO Box 32, Manteca, CA 95336

Enrollment

714

Student-Teacher

23.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,720 of 9,539

In Manteca

#17 of 28

public schools

In district

#17 of 29

Manteca Unified

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Joshua Cowell Elementary

4.7/10

Elementary School in Manteca · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Calla High

5.3/10

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

Shasta Elementary

5.7/10

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

About Joshua Cowell Elementary

Joshua Cowell Elementary is a public elementary school in Manteca, CA, part of Manteca Unified. Joshua Cowell Elementary serves approximately 714 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Joshua Cowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,720 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Joshua Cowell Elementary show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Joshua Cowell Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Joshua Cowell Elementary runs 23.8:1 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.

32% of students at Joshua Cowell 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 Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-33.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-17.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,801
Chronic Absenteeism32.4%

Joshua Cowell Elementary — Students at Joshua Cowell Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (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
40%
ELA
45%
2010
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
44%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
16.4%
ELA
35.4%
2024
Math
12%
ELA
25.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Joshua Cowell Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
19th percentile in CA
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.4%

Location

PO Box 32, Manteca, CA 95336

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joshua Cowell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nile Garden Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walter Woodward Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Manteca, see our Manteca schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Calla High Manteca 0.8 mi 5.3
Shasta Elementary Manteca 1.0 mi 5.7
Lincoln Elementary Manteca 1.3 mi 3.9
ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Manteca 1.3 mi 6.2
St. Anthony's Catholic School Manteca 1.3 mi
New Haven Elementary Manteca 1.7 mi 4.0
Manteca High Manteca 1.5 mi 6.3
Golden West Elementary Manteca 1.7 mi 3.5
Yosemite School Community Day (7-12) Manteca 2.2 mi 6.6
Yosemite School Community Day (K-6) Manteca 2.2 mi
Sequoia Elementary Manteca 2.3 mi 3.7
Walter Woodward Elementary Manteca 2.7 mi 5.9
Neil Hafley Elementary Manteca 2.5 mi 3.0
East Union High Manteca 2.7 mi 5.9
Veritas Elementary Manteca 3.0 mi 5.2
Brock Elliott Elementary Manteca 3.1 mi 3.7
George McParland Elementary Manteca 3.2 mi 5.9
Sierra High Manteca 3.3 mi 6.8
Stella Brockman Elementary Manteca 3.3 mi 4.7
Nile Garden Elementary Manteca 4.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95336 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,411

Median Home Value

$522,800

Median Rent

$1,774/mo

Population

49,357

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

37.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Ana, CA 4.7
Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory San Jose, CA 4.7
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio, CA 4.7
Calabasas Elementary Watsonville, CA 4.7
Center Elementary Fairfield, CA 4.7
Central Elementary National City, CA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joshua Cowell Elementary

What grades does Joshua Cowell Elementary serve?

Joshua Cowell Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Joshua Cowell Elementary?

Joshua Cowell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 714 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joshua Cowell Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Joshua Cowell Elementary 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 Joshua Cowell Elementary rank in CA?

Joshua Cowell Elementary ranks #7,720 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Joshua Cowell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Joshua Cowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Joshua Cowell Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joshua Cowell Elementary has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Joshua Cowell Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Joshua Cowell Elementary a Title I school?

No, Joshua Cowell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

68.3% of students at Joshua Cowell 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
714
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
San Joaquin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.4%

District

Manteca Unified
District Enrollment
25,000
Schools in District
30
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,801
District Rank
#17 of 29

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A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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