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
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Pauma Elementary — Students at Pauma Elementary score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17.45% (2024).
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.
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
- Phone
- (760) 742-3741
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Valley Center-Pauma Unified- District Enrollment
- 3,711
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,832
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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