Average
#6800 of 9,539 schools in CA
Mcdowell Elementary
Elementary School · Petaluma City Elementary
421 South McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94954
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,800 of 9,539
In Petaluma
#24 of 30
public schools
In district
#6 of 7
Petaluma City Elementary
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Mcdowell Elementary
Elementary School in Petaluma · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Loma Vista Immersion Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
La Tercera Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mcdowell Elementary
Mcdowell Elementary is a public elementary school in Petaluma, CA, part of Petaluma City Elementary. Mcdowell Elementary serves approximately 296 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcdowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #6,800 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Mcdowell Elementary show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Mcdowell Elementary runs 21.1:1 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mcdowell Elementary — Students at Mcdowell Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 5.4/10.
How Mcdowell Elementary Compares
See how Mcdowell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
421 South McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94954
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mcdowell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sonoma Mountain Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadow Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Petaluma, see our Petaluma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Loma Vista Immersion Academy Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| La Tercera Elementary Petaluma | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Live Oak Charter Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| San Antonio High (Continuation) Petaluma | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Valley Oaks High (Alternative) Petaluma | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| McKinley Elementary Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Miwok Valley Elementary Charter Petaluma | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Sonoma Mountain High (Continuation) Petaluma | 1.2 mi | — |
| Casa Grande High Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Sonoma Mountain Elementary Petaluma | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Old Adobe Elementary Charter Petaluma | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Grant Elementary Petaluma | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| McNear Elementary Petaluma | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| South County Consortium Petaluma | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Saint Vincent de Paul College Preparatory Petaluma | 1.7 mi | — |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Meadow Elementary Petaluma | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94954 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,564
Median Home Value
$790,100
Median Rent
$2,405/mo
Population
38,000
College Educated
36.9%
Homeownership
66.7%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
44.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Acacia Magnet School for Enriched Learning Thousand Oaks, CA | 5.3 |
| Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville, CA | 5.3 |
| Arlington Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 5.3 |
| Arminta Street Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 5.3 |
| Beach Park Elementary Foster City, CA | 5.3 |
| Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy Monrovia, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mcdowell Elementary
What grades does Mcdowell Elementary serve?
Mcdowell Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Mcdowell Elementary?
Mcdowell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 296 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Elementary is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mcdowell Elementary rank in CA?
Mcdowell Elementary ranks #6,800 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Mcdowell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Mcdowell Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcdowell Elementary has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Mcdowell Elementary a charter school?
No, Mcdowell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mcdowell Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mcdowell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcdowell Elementary?
85.1% of students at Mcdowell 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 296
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sonoma County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.4%
- Phone
- (707) 778-4745
Resources & Links
District
Petaluma City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 2,207
- Schools in District
- 8
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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