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Below Average

#1694 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Mother Lode Christian School

Elementary School

18393 GARDNER AVE, Tuolumne, CA 95379

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

177

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#1,039 of 1,102

About Mother Lode Christian School

Mother Lode Christian School is a small elementary school located in the rural area of Tuolumne, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 177 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.7:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. The community around Mother Lode Christian School is close-knit, offering a supportive environment for students to grow and develop.

Although academic performance metrics are not available, the school focuses on fostering a nurturing atmosphere where each child can thrive and reach their potential. With its rural setting, Mother Lode Christian School provides a unique educational experience in a tight-knit community near Tuolumne town.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 177 students, Mother Lode Christian School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Mother Lode Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Mother Lode Christian School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$13,988
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$13,640
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.98x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
87%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 177 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Mother Lode Christian School compares to the 6 public schools in Tuolumne, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
This School
vs
12.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
177
This School
vs
183
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.4
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 99.4% vs 0%
Mother Lode Christian School Tuolumne Public Avg

All Schools in Tuolumne

School Rating
Mother Lode Christian School (this school) 4.4
Summerville Elementary 6.0
Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy 9.1
Summerville High 6.1
South Fork High
Long Barn High
Cold Springs High

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C 2.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 19.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 2.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 1%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 177
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 99.4%
Two or More 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

18393 GARDNER AVE, Tuolumne, CA 95379

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mother Lode Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Belleview Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Sonora), which scores notably higher. Another option is Soulsbyville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Soulsbyville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Twain Harte (rated 7.7/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Twain Harte), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tuolumne, see our Tuolumne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Mother Lode Christian School Tuolumne 0.1 mi
Summerville Elementary Tuolumne 0.5 mi 6.0
Summerville High Tuolumne 0.9 mi 6.1
Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy Tuolumne 0.9 mi 9.1
Samuel Garber School Tuolumne 2.2 mi
Cornerstone Family Christian School Soulsbyville 2.0 mi
Soulsbyville Elementary Soulsbyville 2.3 mi 8.2
Gold Rush Home Study Charter Sonora 4.0 mi 5.9
Curtis Creek Elementary Sonora 3.8 mi 3.7
Twain Harte Twain Harte 5.3 mi 7.7
Belleview Elementary Sonora 5.2 mi 9.3
Safari Learning Academy Sonora 4.3 mi
SAFARI LEARNING ACADEMY Sonora 4.3 mi 5.4
Tioga High Groveland 7.0 mi 4.2
Gold Ridge Educational Center Sonora 7.0 mi
Tenaya Elementary Groveland 8.9 mi 6.7
South Fork High Tuolumne 8.9 mi
Sonora Elementary Sonora 7.3 mi 4.7
Dario Cassina High Sonora 7.8 mi 6.1
Theodore Bird High Sonora 7.8 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95379 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,113

Median Home Value

$404,500

Population

3,821

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

83.3%

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mother Lode Christian School has a median household income of $72,113. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $404,500. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Thousand Oaks, CA 4.4
Central Elementary Lemoore, CA 4.4
Empower Language Academy San Diego, CA 4.4
Fletcher Walker Elementary Westwood, CA 4.4
GUARDIAN ANGEL ELEMENTARY Pacoima, CA 4.4
Grizzly Hill Nevada City, CA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mother Lode Christian School

What grades does Mother Lode Christian School serve?

Mother Lode Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Mother Lode Christian School?

Mother Lode Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 177 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mother Lode Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mother Lode Christian School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mother Lode Christian School rank in CA?

Mother Lode Christian School is ranked #1694 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Mother Lode Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mother Lode Christian School has a composite rating of 4.4 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.

Is Mother Lode Christian School a private school?

Yes, Mother Lode Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Mother Lode Christian School a religious school?

Mother Lode Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
177
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
TUOLUMNE
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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