Excellent
#689 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 7% in state
Palo Verde Elementary
Elementary School · Palo Verde Union Elementary
9637 Avenue 196, Tulare, CA 93274
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tulare
#1 of 28
public schools
California elementary schools
#511 of 5,817
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Palo Verde Elementary
Palo Verde Elementary is a public elementary school in Tulare, CA, part of the Palo Verde Union Elementary. The school serves approximately 502 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 40% proficiency in math, 3 points above the state average and 47% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $69,905, where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Palo Verde Elementary is 21.8:1, 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, Palo Verde Elementary 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
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Palo Verde Elementary — Students at Palo Verde Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 9.4/10.
How Palo Verde Elementary Compares
See how Palo Verde Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 40.18% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 48.75% (2024).
Location
9637 Avenue 196, Tulare, CA 93274
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palo Verde Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Alpine Vista (rated 7.1/10, 4.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Garden Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 5.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tulare, see our Tulare schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Countryside Community Day Tulare | 3.5 mi | — |
| Tulare Technical Preparatory High Tulare | 3.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Cypress Elementary Tulare | 3.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Mulcahy Middle Tulare | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Tulare | 3.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary Tulare | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Tulare City Community Day Tulare | 3.9 mi | — |
| Tulare Support Tulare | 3.9 mi | — |
| Tulare Union High Tulare | 4.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Sierra Vista Charter High Tulare | 4.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Maple Elementary Tulare | 4.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Wilson Elementary Tulare | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Frank Kohn Elementary Tulare | 4.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Tulare Western High Tulare | 4.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Cherry Avenue Middle Tulare | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Pleasant Elementary Tulare | 5.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Garden Elementary Tulare | 5.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Alpine Vista Tulare | 4.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Alpine Vista Middle Tulare | 4.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Mission Oak High Tulare | 4.9 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93274 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,905
Median Home Value
$300,900
Median Rent
$1,334/mo
Population
79,154
College Educated
10.9%
Homeownership
57.6%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
29.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palo Verde Elementary has a median household income of $69,905. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $300,900, with a median rent of $1,334/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspire Firestone Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 8.5 |
| Birney Tech Academy Pico Rivera, CA | 8.5 |
| Carver Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Charles W. Barrett Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Cherry Chase Elementary Sunnyvale, CA | 8.5 |
| Cherrywood Elementary San Jose, CA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palo Verde Elementary
What grades does Palo Verde Elementary serve?
Palo Verde Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Palo Verde Elementary?
Palo Verde Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palo Verde Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Palo Verde Elementary is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palo Verde Elementary rank in CA?
Palo Verde Elementary is ranked #689 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palo Verde Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Palo Verde Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Palo Verde Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palo Verde Elementary has 39.7% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palo Verde Elementary a charter school?
No, Palo Verde Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palo Verde Elementary a Title I school?
No, Palo Verde Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palo Verde Elementary?
86.1% of students at Palo Verde 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 (Tulare). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Tulare County
- Phone
- (559) 688-0648
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palo Verde Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 502
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,449
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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