Below Average
#1694 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Mother Lode Christian School
Elementary School
18393 GARDNER AVE, Tuolumne, CA 95379
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
Enrollment
177
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Mother Lode Christian School compares to the 6 public schools in Tuolumne, CA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (209) 928-4126
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.