Needs Improvement
#9104 of 9,533 schools in CA
Murdock Elementary
Elementary School · Willows Unified
655 West French St., Willows, CA 95988
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Willows
#5 of 5
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,486 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 3
Willows Unified
About Murdock Elementary
Murdock Elementary in Willows, California, is a regular public elementary school serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 592 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1, Murdock Elementary aims to provide educational support with its team of 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.4 out of 10, reflecting areas where the school can focus on growth and improvement.
Academically, Murdock Elementary ranks at #9278 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the third percentile overall. In ELA/Reading, 17% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 16% meet or exceed proficiency standards. These figures suggest that there is room for academic growth and development at Murdock Elementary.
Murdock Elementary is situated in a small town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and families work together to support student success.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Murdock 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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Murdock Elementary — Students at Murdock Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.2%
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.
* 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: 3.6/10.
How Murdock Elementary Compares
See how Murdock Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 13.84% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 13.52% (2024).
Location
655 West French St., Willows, CA 95988
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murdock Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Princeton Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Princeton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Plaza Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Orland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walden Academy (rated 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Willows, see our Willows schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Willows High Willows | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Walden Academy Willows | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Willows Community High Willows | 0.6 mi | — |
| Glenn County Special Education Willows | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Willows Intermediate Willows | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| RIVER VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Glenn | 10.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Plaza Elementary Orland | 13.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Fairview Elementary Orland | 14.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Price Intermediate Orland | 14.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Mill Street Elementary Orland | 15.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Success One! Orland | 15.3 mi | — |
| Providence Christian School (dba) Orland | 15.3 mi | — |
| William Finch Orland | 15.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Orland High Orland | 15.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Princeton Elementary Princeton | 13.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Princeton High Princeton | 13.4 mi | 5.5 |
| North Valley High (Continuation) Orland | 15.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Lake View Charter Orangevale | 16.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Lake Elementary Orland | 16.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Maxwell Elementary Maxwell | 17.1 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95988 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,913
Median Home Value
$299,300
Median Rent
$1,171/mo
Population
9,060
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
56.7%
Avg Commute
20.4 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Murdock Elementary has a median household income of $78,913. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,300, with a median rent of $1,171/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Allison Elementary Pomona, CA | 3.8 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio, CA | 3.8 |
| Arbuckle Elementary Arbuckle, CA | 3.8 |
| Arthur S. Dudley Elementary Antelope, CA | 3.8 |
| Bear Gulch Elementary Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 3.8 |
| Campbell School of Innovation Campbell, CA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murdock Elementary
What grades does Murdock Elementary serve?
Murdock Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Murdock Elementary?
Murdock Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 592 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murdock Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Murdock 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 Murdock Elementary rank in CA?
Murdock Elementary is ranked #9104 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Murdock Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Murdock Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Murdock Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murdock Elementary has 15.8% math proficiency and 17.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murdock Elementary a charter school?
No, Murdock Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murdock Elementary a Title I school?
No, Murdock Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murdock Elementary?
78.2% of students at Murdock 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,331/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 592
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Glenn County
- Phone
- (530) 934-6640
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Willows Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,357
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,978
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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