Average
#6573 of 9,533 schools in CA
Peggy Heller Elementary
Elementary School · Atwater Elementary
201 Lake View Dr., Atwater, CA 95301
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
707
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Atwater
#10 of 11
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,896 of 5,817
In district
#9 of 9
Atwater Elementary
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Peggy Heller Elementary
Peggy Heller Elementary is a regular public school located in the mid-size suburb of Atwater, California. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and currently has an enrollment of 707 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.8:1. With 31 full-time equivalent teachers, Peggy Heller Elementary aims to provide a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.
The academic performance at Peggy Heller Elementary shows areas where the school can improve. The MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, and it ranks #4624 among 9566 schools in California. In terms of subject proficiency, 49% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 37% meet the same criteria for Math.
Despite these challenges, Peggy Heller Elementary continues to focus on student development and is dedicated to helping its pupils achieve their full potential. The school's setting within a mid-size suburb provides a range of community resources and activities that complement the educational experience. Peggy Heller Elementary is situated in a neighborhood where students can benefit from local amenities while being part of a close-knit community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Peggy Heller Elementary is 22.8:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Peggy Heller Elementary — Students at Peggy Heller Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.
How Peggy Heller Elementary Compares
See how Peggy Heller Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 36.04% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 48.52% (2024).
Location
201 Lake View Dr., Atwater, CA 95301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Peggy Heller Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frank Sparkes Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Merced), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sybil N. Crookham Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Atwater, see our Atwater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue Elementary Atwater | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Winfield Elementary Winton | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Mitchell Intermediate Atwater | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Atwater Senior Academy Atwater | 1.5 mi | — |
| Atwater High Atwater | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Shaffer Elementary Atwater | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Mitchell Elementary Atwater | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Winton Middle Winton | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Buhach Colony High Atwater | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Valley Atwater Community Merced | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| GRACE MENNONITE SCHOOL Winton | 3.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Franklin Elementary Merced | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced | 4.1 mi | — |
| Joe Stefani Merced | 4.3 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,669
Median Home Value
$367,800
Median Rent
$1,215/mo
Population
42,374
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
56.7%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Peggy Heller Elementary has a median household income of $66,669. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,800, with a median rent of $1,215/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. 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 |
|---|---|
| A. H. Morgan Elementary Rialto, CA | 5.5 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Colton, CA | 5.5 |
| Big Springs Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 5.5 |
| Bixby Elementary Long Beach, CA | 5.5 |
| Boulder Ridge Elementary Menifee, CA | 5.5 |
| Bradley Elementary Watsonville, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Peggy Heller Elementary
What grades does Peggy Heller Elementary serve?
Peggy Heller Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Peggy Heller Elementary?
Peggy Heller Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 707 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Peggy Heller Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Peggy Heller Elementary is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Peggy Heller Elementary rank in CA?
Peggy Heller Elementary is ranked #6573 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Peggy Heller Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Peggy Heller Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Peggy Heller Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Peggy Heller Elementary has 37.0% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Peggy Heller Elementary a charter school?
No, Peggy Heller Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Peggy Heller Elementary a Title I school?
No, Peggy Heller Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Peggy Heller Elementary?
65.9% of students at Peggy Heller 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 (2,969/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Atwater). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 707
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 357-6517
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Atwater Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,959
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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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