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Excellent

#1340 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 14% in state

Ophir Steam Academy

Elementary School · Loomis Union Elementary

1373 Lozanos Rd., Newcastle, CA 95658

Enrollment

207

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newcastle

#2 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#954 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 7

Loomis Union Elementary

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Ophir Steam Academy

Ophir STEAM Academy serves 207 students in grades K-8 as a regular public school in Newcastle, California. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, creating a manageable classroom environment for elementary and middle school learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #749 out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide.

Students show solid achievement in English Language Arts, with 73% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows 56% of students reaching proficiency, indicating continued growth opportunities in this subject area. Ophir STEAM Academy draws families from a well-educated community where 38% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding zip code 95658 reflects an affluent area with a median household income of $117,118 and median home values of $786,500. The low poverty rate of 3.2% suggests most students come from economically stable backgrounds. The school benefits from its rural setting near the town of Newcastle in Placer County, offering students a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to the resources and opportunities of the broader Sacramento metropolitan region.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Ophir Steam Academy is 20.7:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Ophir Steam Academy 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.4%
Math vs. State Avg+15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.4 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,616

Ophir Steam Academy — Students at Ophir Steam Academy score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.4%
School
State
35.3%
ELA Proficiency 71.7%
School
State
46.3%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
56.3%
ELA
73.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.

How Ophir Steam Academy Compares

See how Ophir Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

1373 Lozanos Rd., Newcastle, CA 95658

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ophir Steam Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newcastle Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Skyridge Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Auburn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Penryn Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Penryn), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Newcastle, see our Newcastle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter Newcastle 1.7 mi 3.4
Newcastle Elementary Newcastle 1.8 mi 9.5
Newcastle Charter Newcastle 1.8 mi 7.0
Auburn Elementary Auburn 2.7 mi 3.6
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn 2.9 mi 5.7
Placer County Special Education Auburn 2.5 mi 6.3
Placer County Court Schools Auburn 2.5 mi
Placer County Pathways Charter Auburn 2.5 mi 8.7
EV Cain Middle Auburn 2.7 mi 4.5
Placer High Auburn 3.0 mi 5.2
Confluence Continuation High Auburn 3.1 mi 4.7
Maidu Virtual Charter Academy Auburn 3.1 mi 6.5
Skyridge Elementary Auburn 3.2 mi 8.1
LEGACY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Auburn 3.3 mi 4.5
Legacy Christian School at Confluence Church Auburn 3.3 mi
Global SchoolONE Auburn 3.5 mi
Penryn Elementary Penryn 3.9 mi 7.3
Honchar Loomis 4.6 mi
Pine Hills Adventist Academy Auburn 4.5 mi
PINE HILLS ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn 4.6 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95658 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$128,472

Median Home Value

$814,300

Median Rent

$1,529/mo

Population

6,197

College Educated

44.6%

Homeownership

92%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

48.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ophir Steam Academy has a median household income of $128,472. 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 $814,300, with a median rent of $1,529/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Bixby Elementary Hacienda Heights, CA 8.0
Buena Vista Elementary Tulare, CA 8.0
Cajon Valley Home El Cajon, CA 8.0
Charter Home School Academy Visalia, CA 8.0
Coastal Grove Charter Arcata, CA 8.0
Coliseum Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ophir Steam Academy

What grades does Ophir Steam Academy serve?

Ophir Steam Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Ophir Steam Academy?

Ophir Steam Academy has an enrollment of approximately 207 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ophir Steam Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Ophir Steam Academy is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ophir Steam Academy rank in CA?

Ophir Steam Academy is ranked #1340 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Ophir Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Ophir Steam Academy has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Ophir Steam Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ophir Steam Academy has 56.4% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ophir Steam Academy a charter school?

No, Ophir Steam Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ophir Steam Academy a Title I school?

No, Ophir Steam Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ophir Steam Academy?

22.7% of students at Ophir Steam Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (296/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
207
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Placer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Loomis Union Elementary
District Enrollment
2,905
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,724
District Rank
#1 of 7

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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