Excellent
#57 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 1% in state
Neal Dow Elementary
Elementary School · Chico Unified
1420 Neal Dow Ave., Chico, CA 95926
Enrollment
339
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
339
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chico
#1 of 31
public schools
California elementary schools
#53 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 20
Chico Unified
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Neal Dow Elementary
Neal Dow Elementary serves 339 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Chico, California. The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10 — rated Exceptional by School Scout — built on a 9.9 growth score that signals students here are advancing well beyond what their starting points would predict. The school's California standing puts it in rare company.
Neal Dow ranks #57 among 9,533 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of California schools. It also places #53 among 5,817 California elementary schools — a consistent top-tier result across both all-school and elementary-only comparisons. Few public schools in the state hold that position.
Locally, Neal Dow sits first among all 31 schools in Chico. It operates at 339 students with a 16.1-to-one student-teacher ratio — a size that keeps classrooms manageable without sacrificing the resources of a full public school. Academic performance checks in at 8.4, strong in its own right, but the 9.9 growth score is what separates Neal Dow from schools that simply serve high-performing populations.
This school moves students forward.
Score Breakdown
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Neal Dow Elementary — Students at Neal Dow Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Neal Dow Elementary Compares
See how Neal Dow Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 44.94% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 53.8% (2024).
Location
1420 Neal Dow Ave., Chico, CA 95926
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Neal Dow Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Citrus Avenue Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is McManus (John A.) Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hooker Oak Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chico, see our Chico schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hooker Oak Elementary Chico | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Proverbs 9:9 Academy Chico | 0.4 mi | — |
| Bidwell Junior High Chico | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Wildflower Open Classroom Chico | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| McManus (John A.) Elementary Chico | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Chico Junior High Chico | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Pivot Charter School North Valley II Chico | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Chico High Chico | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Pleasant Valley High Chico | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Achieve Charter School of Chico Chico | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Sierra View Elementary Chico | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Butte County Community Chico | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Parkview Elementary Chico | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Marigold Elementary Chico | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Inspire School of Arts and Sciences Chico | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| HopeAcademy for Personalized Education Chico | 1.4 mi | — |
| Citrus Avenue Elementary Chico | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Chico Country Day Chico | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL Chico | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Notre Dame School Chico | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95926 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,334
Median Home Value
$462,900
Median Rent
$1,418/mo
Population
42,143
College Educated
44.7%
Homeownership
42%
Avg Commute
17.1 min
Poverty Rate
25.5%
Median Age
27.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Neal Dow Elementary has a median household income of $62,334. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,900, with a median rent of $1,418/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| BOWMAN SCHOOL Palo Alto, CA | 9.3 |
| Banyan Elementary Newbury Park, CA | 9.3 |
| Compton Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 9.3 |
| Duff Language Magnet Academy Rosemead, CA | 9.3 |
| Eagle Prairie Elementary Rio Dell, CA | 9.3 |
| Edison Elementary Santa Monica, CA | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Neal Dow Elementary
What grades does Neal Dow Elementary serve?
Neal Dow Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Neal Dow Elementary?
Neal Dow Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 339 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Neal Dow Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Neal Dow Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Neal Dow Elementary rank in CA?
Neal Dow Elementary is ranked #57 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Neal Dow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Neal Dow Elementary has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Neal Dow Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Neal Dow Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Neal Dow Elementary a charter school?
No, Neal Dow Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Neal Dow Elementary a Title I school?
No, Neal Dow Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Neal Dow Elementary?
66.4% of students at Neal Dow 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chico). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 339
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Butte County
- Phone
- (530) 891-3110
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chico Unified- District Enrollment
- 12,317
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,423
- District Rank
- #1 of 20
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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