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Needs Improvement

#9220 of 9,539 schools in CA

Lilac

Elementary School · Valley Center-Pauma Unified

28751 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082

Enrollment

456

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,220 of 9,539

In Valley Center

#7 of 9

public schools

In district

#6 of 8

Valley Center-Pauma Unified

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Lilac

3.1/10

Elementary School in Valley Center · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Morning Star Ranch Training Program

Nearby

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

Valley Center High

5.5/10

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

About Lilac

Lilac is a public elementary school in Valley Center, CA, part of Valley Center-Pauma Unified. Lilac serves approximately 456 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Lilac has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #9,220 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Lilac show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Lilac runs 22.8:1 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.

Lilac sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

39% of students at Lilac 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 Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,832
Chronic Absenteeism38.8%

Lilac — Students at Lilac score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 43.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (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
73%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
30.3%
ELA
39.1%
2024
Math
30.8%
ELA
28.3%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Lilac Compares

See how Lilac performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
3th percentile in CA
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.8%

Location

28751 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lilac may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Conway Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glen View Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reidy Creek Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Valley Center, see our Valley Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Morning Star Ranch Training Program Valley Center 2.5 mi
Valley Center High Valley Center 3.0 mi 5.5
Oak Glen High Valley Center 3.0 mi 6.9
Valley Center Primary Valley Center 3.0 mi 3.4
Valley Center Elementary Valley Center 3.1 mi 3.0
Valley Center Prep Valley Center 3.1 mi 4.1
Ambleside Academy Valley Center 4.7 mi
Reidy Creek Elementary Escondido 6.1 mi 6.8
Pauma Elementary Pauma Valley 5.6 mi 3.6
Valley Center Middle Valley Center 5.8 mi 2.9
North Broadway Elementary Escondido 6.7 mi 5.7
Rincon Middle Escondido 7.0 mi 6.4
Calvin Christian School of Escondido Escondido 7.3 mi
Vivian Banks Charter Pala 7.5 mi 6.4
Conway Elementary Escondido 7.7 mi 8.4
Glen View Elementary Escondido 7.8 mi 7.6
Norman L. Sullivan Middle Bonsall 6.7 mi 6.3
Bonsall High Bonsall 6.7 mi 6.9
Valley High (Continuation) Escondido 7.7 mi 5.7
KINGS ACADEMY Escondido 7.9 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92082 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,602

Median Home Value

$779,500

Median Rent

$1,473/mo

Population

20,596

College Educated

31.5%

Homeownership

87.9%

Avg Commute

35.8 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ararat Charter Van Nuys, CA 3.1
Belshaw Elementary Antioch, CA 3.1
Central Elementary Imperial Beach, CA 3.1
D. H. White Elementary Rio Vista, CA 3.1
Dover Elementary San Pablo, CA 3.1
EJE Elementary Academy Charter El Cajon, CA 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lilac

What grades does Lilac serve?

Lilac serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Lilac?

Lilac has an enrollment of approximately 456 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lilac?

The student-teacher ratio at Lilac is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lilac rank in CA?

Lilac ranks #9,220 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Lilac's MySchoolScout rating?

Lilac has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Lilac?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lilac has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Lilac a charter school?

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

Is Lilac a Title I school?

No, Lilac is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lilac?

62.5% of students at Lilac 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Diego County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.8%

District

Valley Center-Pauma Unified
District Enrollment
3,711
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,832
District Rank
#6 of 8

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