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Needs Improvement

#9276 of 9,533 schools in CA

Pauma Elementary

Elementary School · Valley Center-Pauma Unified

PO Box 409, Pauma Valley, CA 92061

Enrollment

260

Student-Teacher

21.7:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#5,615 of 5,817

In district

#8 of 8

Valley Center-Pauma Unified

About Pauma Elementary

Pauma Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Pauma Valley, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 260 students and employs 12 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.7:1. The academic performance at Pauma Elementary is currently rated at 2.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking the school #9412 out of 9566 schools statewide, which places it in the second percentile overall.

In terms of subject proficiency, only 20% of students are considered proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 8% achieve proficiency in math. Pauma Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment tailored to rural needs, with room for academic growth and development. The school is situated in the heart of Pauma Valley, where it plays an integral role within the local community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pauma Elementary is 21.7:1, 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, Pauma 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.4%
Math vs. State Avg-38.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.3 pts
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,101

Pauma Elementary — Students at Pauma Elementary score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 7.9%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 20.2%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
8.1%
ELA
17.5%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Pauma Elementary Compares

See how Pauma Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
3th percentile in CA
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

PO Box 409, Pauma Valley, CA 92061

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pauma Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Reidy Creek Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Escondido), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vivian Banks Charter (rated 7.5/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Pala), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tony Tobin Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Temecula), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pauma Valley, see our Pauma Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Oak Glen High Valley Center 2.8 mi 4.6
Valley Center High Valley Center 2.8 mi 7.1
All Tribes Elementary Charter Valley Center 3.7 mi 4.6
All Tribes Charter Valley Center 3.7 mi 5.9
Morning Star Ranch Training Program Valley Center 3.8 mi
Ambleside Academy Valley Center 4.9 mi
Valley Center Primary Valley Center 5.3 mi 4.8
Valley Center Elementary Valley Center 5.7 mi 5.5
Valley Center Prep Valley Center 5.7 mi 5.9
Vivian Banks Charter Pala 5.4 mi 7.5
Lilac Valley Center 5.6 mi 4.8
Valley Center Middle Valley Center 6.4 mi 4.0
Great Oak High Temecula 10.8 mi 6.9
Tony Tobin Elementary Temecula 11.3 mi 6.3
Valley High (Continuation) Escondido 11.5 mi 6.5
Reidy Creek Elementary Escondido 11.2 mi 9.1
Helen Hunt Jackson Elementary Temecula 11.3 mi 4.4
Orange Glen Elementary Escondido 11.9 mi 6.0
Norman L. Sullivan Middle Bonsall 10.1 mi 4.5
Bonsall High Bonsall 10.1 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92061 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,500

Median Home Value

$785,100

Population

1,693

College Educated

42.9%

Homeownership

86.3%

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

55.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pauma Elementary has a median household income of $92,500. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $785,100. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arlington Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA 3.4
August Schilling Elementary Newark, CA 3.4
Colfax Elementary Colfax, CA 3.4
Coyle Avenue Elementary Carmichael, CA 3.4
Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter Newcastle, CA 3.4
Highland Pacific Elementary Highland, CA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pauma Elementary

What grades does Pauma Elementary serve?

Pauma Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Pauma Elementary?

Pauma Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pauma Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Pauma Elementary is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pauma Elementary rank in CA?

Pauma Elementary is ranked #9276 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pauma Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pauma Elementary has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Pauma Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pauma Elementary has 7.9% math proficiency and 20.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pauma Elementary a charter school?

No, Pauma Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pauma Elementary a Title I school?

No, Pauma Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pauma Elementary?

76.9% of students at Pauma 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (114/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
San Diego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Valley Center-Pauma Unified
District Enrollment
3,711
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,832
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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