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Very Good

#2271 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 24% in state

Pioneer

Elementary School · Delano Union Elementary

1505 12th Ave., Delano, CA 93215

Enrollment

977

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#2,271 of 9,539

In Delano

#11 of 18

public schools

In district

#8 of 12

Delano Union Elementary

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Pioneer

7.6/10

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

Harvest Elementary

9.1/10

Delano, CA. Compare side by side with Pioneer before ruling this option in or out.

Columbine Elementary

8.8/10

Delano, CA. Compare side by side with Pioneer before ruling this option in or out.

About Pioneer

Pioneer is a public elementary school in Delano, CA, part of Delano Union Elementary. Pioneer serves approximately 977 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,271 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Pioneer show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

What's said publicly about Pioneer

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Pioneer School is part of the Delano Union School District 1 . Students from the school participated in a science fair event held at the Buena Vista Museum, known as the Spectacular World of Science 1 . At this event, student Sebastian Ramirez earned first place, while the team of Juliette Cantu and Marilu Cisneros Ortiz earned second place 1 . The district also noted its recognition as an award-winning district in communications regarding student achievements 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.duesd.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.9
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Pioneer runs 20.8:1 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.

Pioneer sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,264
Chronic Absenteeism19.5%

Pioneer — Students at Pioneer score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.9% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 42.4% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
24%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
36.7%
2024
Math
30.2%
ELA
44.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How Pioneer Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
76th percentile in CA
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

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

1505 12th Ave., Delano, CA 93215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nueva Vista Language Academy (rated 9.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harvest Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Columbine Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Delano, see our Delano schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Robert F. Kennedy High Delano 0.3 mi 7.5
Almond Tree Middle Delano 0.6 mi 8.7
Fremont Elementary Delano 0.9 mi 6.1
Nueva Vista Language Academy Delano 0.9 mi 9.2
Albany Park Elementary Delano 1.2 mi 5.8
Delano High Delano 1.8 mi 7.6
Cecil Avenue Math and Science Academy Delano 1.8 mi 7.5
Terrace Elementary Delano 1.9 mi 8.4
Princeton Street Elementary Delano 2.1 mi 7.5
SEQUOIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Delano 2.1 mi
Del Vista Math and Science Academy Delano 2.0 mi 8.6
Valley High Delano 2.3 mi 5.4
Harvest Elementary Delano 2.4 mi 9.1
La Vina Middle Delano 2.5 mi 9.1
Morningside Delano 2.7 mi 8.5
Cesar E. Chavez High Delano 2.7 mi 6.6
Wonderful College Prep Academy Delano 3.4 mi 8.6
Pond Elementary Wasco 4.2 mi 4.8
Columbine Elementary Delano 5.4 mi 8.8
San Joaquin High (Continuation) Mcfarland 6.3 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,329

Median Home Value

$271,700

Median Rent

$1,085/mo

Population

53,627

College Educated

8.1%

Homeownership

59.8%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

16.8%

Median Age

33.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anthony Spangler Elementary Milpitas, CA 7.6
Arma J. Shull Elementary San Dimas, CA 7.6
Beech Avenue Elementary Fontana, CA 7.6
Boulder Ridge Elementary Menifee, CA 7.6
Burroughs Elementary Fresno, CA 7.6
Clara Barton Elementary Eastvale, CA 7.6

Compare Pioneer with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer

What grades does Pioneer serve?

Pioneer serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Pioneer?

Pioneer has an enrollment of approximately 977 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer rank in CA?

Pioneer ranks #2,271 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Pioneer's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Pioneer?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

Is Pioneer a charter school?

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

Is Pioneer a Title I school?

No, Pioneer is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pioneer?

88.5% of students at Pioneer 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Compare This School

How does Pioneer stack up?

Harvest Elementary
9.1
Columbine Elementary
8.8
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
977
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kern County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

District

Delano Union Elementary
District Enrollment
6,235
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,264
District Rank
#8 of 12

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