Average
#7254 of 9,533 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
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Petaluma
#22 of 30
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,291 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 7
Petaluma City Elementary
About Mcdowell Elementary
McDowell Elementary in Petaluma, California is a public elementary school serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 296 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1, the school has 14 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education. McDowell Elementary's setting is in a small city, offering a close-knit community feel.
The academic performance at McDowell Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #8494 among 9566 schools in California (11th percentile). The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 25% and the Math proficiency rate is 18%, indicating areas where additional support could benefit students. McDowell Elementary stands in Petaluma, a town known for its charming small-city atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Elementary is 21.1:1, 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
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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 12 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: 5.3/10.
How Mcdowell Elementary Compares
See how Mcdowell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 16.99% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 23.81% (2024).
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 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadow Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 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 | 3.7 |
| La Tercera Elementary Petaluma | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Live Oak Charter Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| San Antonio High (Continuation) Petaluma | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Valley Oaks High (Alternative) Petaluma | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| McKinley Elementary Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Petaluma Accelerated Charter Petaluma | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Miwok Valley Elementary Charter Petaluma | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Sonoma Mountain High (Continuation) Petaluma | 1.2 mi | — |
| Casa Grande High Petaluma | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Sonoma Mountain Elementary Petaluma | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| THE SPRING HILL SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Old Adobe Elementary Charter Petaluma | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Grant Elementary Petaluma | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| McNear Elementary Petaluma | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petaluma | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| South County Consortium Petaluma | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| 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 | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mcdowell Elementary has a median household income of $107,564. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $790,100, with a median rent of $2,405/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelanto Elementary Adelanto, CA | 5.2 |
| Albert Schweitzer Elementary Carmichael, CA | 5.2 |
| Anna M. Glazier Elementary Norwalk, CA | 5.2 |
| Ayers Elementary Concord, CA | 5.2 |
| Bryant Elementary Long Beach, CA | 5.2 |
| Carson Elementary San Diego, CA | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #7254 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Mcdowell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Mcdowell Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcdowell Elementary has 18.2% math proficiency and 24.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,469/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Petaluma). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (707) 778-4745
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Petaluma City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 2,207
- Schools in District
- 8
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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