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Average

#4837 of 9,539 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

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,837 of 9,539

In Atwater

#6 of 11

public schools

In district

#6 of 9

Atwater Elementary

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Peggy Heller Elementary

6.3/10

Elementary School in Atwater · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bellevue Elementary

6.4/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bellevue Senior Elementary

7.7/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Peggy Heller Elementary

Peggy Heller Elementary is a public elementary school in Atwater, CA, part of Atwater Elementary. Peggy Heller Elementary serves approximately 707 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 22.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Peggy Heller Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,837 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Peggy Heller Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Peggy Heller Elementary runs 22.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism12.3%

Peggy Heller Elementary — Students at Peggy Heller Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 55.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 38 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
42.9%
ELA
55.6%
2024
Math
36%
ELA
48.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.

How Peggy Heller Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Winton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Elmer Wood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Merced), 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 6.4
Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater 0.9 mi 7.7
Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater 0.9 mi 7.8
Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater 1.1 mi 6.3
Winfield Elementary Winton 1.4 mi 7.3
Mitchell Intermediate Atwater 1.5 mi 6.1
Atwater Senior Academy Atwater 1.5 mi
Atwater High Atwater 1.3 mi 5.5
Shaffer Elementary Atwater 1.7 mi 5.8
Mitchell Elementary Atwater 1.5 mi 5.7
Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton 1.6 mi 8.3
Winton Middle Winton 1.6 mi 7.1
Buhach Colony High Atwater 1.9 mi 5.8
Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton 1.8 mi 5.8
Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater 1.8 mi 7.0
Valley Atwater Community Merced 2.5 mi 6.2
GRACE MENNONITE SCHOOL Winton 3.4 mi 4.3
Franklin Elementary Merced 4.2 mi 7.7
Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced 4.1 mi
Joe Stefani Merced 4.3 mi 4.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alameda Elementary Downey, CA 6.3
Balboa Elementary San Diego, CA 6.3
Belvedere Elementary Highland, CA 6.3
Birney Elementary Fresno, CA 6.3
Calwa Elementary Fresno, CA 6.3
Chula Vista Hills Elementary Chula Vista, CA 6.3

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 ranks #4,837 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Peggy Heller Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Peggy Heller Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Peggy Heller Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Peggy Heller Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

District

Atwater Elementary
District Enrollment
4,959
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#6 of 9

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