Average
#6484 of 9,533 schools in CA
Nicholas Elementary
Elementary School · Sacramento City Unified
5100 El Paraiso Ave., Sacramento, CA 95824
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sacramento
#110 of 196
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,857 of 5,817
In district
#43 of 71
Sacramento City Unified
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Nicholas Elementary
Nicholas Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Sacramento, California. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, Nicholas Elementary has an enrollment of 474 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting is in a large suburban area, offering a blend of community resources and green spaces.
Nicholas Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment despite its current academic ranking of 3.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and being ranked 7859th among 9566 schools statewide (18th percentile). The school's academic score is 2.1 out of 10, with proficiency levels in ELA/Reading at 19% and Math at 15%, indicating areas where the school can improve and grow. Nicholas Elementary stands as a community-focused institution in Sacramento, dedicated to nurturing its students' development and progress.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Nicholas Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Nicholas Elementary is 21.5:1, 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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Nicholas Elementary — Students at Nicholas Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
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: 6.0/10.
How Nicholas Elementary Compares
See how Nicholas Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 14.49% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 18.15% (2024).
Location
5100 El Paraiso Ave., Sacramento, CA 95824
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nicholas Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Camellia Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ethel I. Baker Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sacramento | 0.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Ethel I. Baker Elementary Sacramento | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Northern California Preparatory Sacramento | 0.6 mi | — |
| Suy:u Elementary Sacramento | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Pacific Elementary Sacramento | 0.7 mi | 3.8 |
| AL ARGAM ISLAMIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE PREPARATORY Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory Sacramento | 1.0 mi | — |
| Will C. Wood Middle Sacramento | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Fern Bacon Middle Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| West Campus Sacramento | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Bowling Green Elementary Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Mark Twain Elementary Sacramento | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Fortune Sacramento | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Homeo-Balance Academy Sacramento | 1.3 mi | — |
| St. Patrick SUCCEED Academy Sacramento | 1.3 mi | — |
| ST PATRICK ACADEMY Sacramento | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Parkway Elementary Sacramento | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Christian Brothers High School Sacramento | 1.7 mi | — |
| St. HOPE Public School 7 Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Camellia Elementary Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95824 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,938
Median Home Value
$322,400
Median Rent
$1,392/mo
Population
32,432
College Educated
12.2%
Homeownership
42.5%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
25.6%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nicholas Elementary has a median household income of $53,938. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $322,400, with a median rent of $1,392/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Alianza Charter Watsonville, CA | 5.6 |
| Anthony Spangler Elementary Milpitas, CA | 5.6 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Redding, CA | 5.6 |
| Bardin Elementary Salinas, CA | 5.6 |
| Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary Tustin, CA | 5.6 |
| Biggs Elementary Biggs, CA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nicholas Elementary
What grades does Nicholas Elementary serve?
Nicholas Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Nicholas Elementary?
Nicholas Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nicholas Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Nicholas Elementary is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nicholas Elementary rank in CA?
Nicholas Elementary is ranked #6484 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Nicholas Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Nicholas Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Nicholas Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nicholas Elementary has 15.1% math proficiency and 19.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nicholas Elementary a charter school?
No, Nicholas Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nicholas Elementary a Title I school?
No, Nicholas Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nicholas Elementary?
89.5% of students at Nicholas 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
- High (3,332/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sacramento). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sacramento County
- Phone
- (916) 395-4655
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sacramento City Unified- District Enrollment
- 38,268
- Schools in District
- 73
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,892
- District Rank
- #43 of 71
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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