Excellent
#263 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 3% in state
Pioneer
Elementary School · Delano Union Elementary
1505 12th Ave., Delano, CA 93215
Enrollment
977
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
977
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Delano
#5 of 18
public schools
California elementary schools
#207 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 12
Delano Union Elementary
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Pioneer
Pioneer is a public elementary school in Delano, CA, part of the Delano Union Elementary. The school serves approximately 977 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 97.3th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 29% proficiency in math, 8 points below the state average and 43% in reading/language arts, 3 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $61,329, where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What's said publicly about Pioneer
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer is 20.8:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Pioneer 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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Pioneer — Students at Pioneer score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.5%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How Pioneer Compares
See how Pioneer performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 30.45% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 45.32% (2024).
Location
1505 12th Ave., Delano, CA 93215
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pioneer may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harvest Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Columbine Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 5.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Del Vista Math and Science Academy (rated 8.7/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.8 |
| Almond Tree Middle Delano | 0.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Fremont Elementary Delano | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Nueva Vista Language Academy Delano | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Albany Park Elementary Delano | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Delano High Delano | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Cecil Avenue Math and Science Academy Delano | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Terrace Elementary Delano | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Princeton Street Elementary Delano | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| SEQUOIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Delano | 2.1 mi | — |
| Del Vista Math and Science Academy Delano | 2.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Valley High Delano | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Harvest Elementary Delano | 2.4 mi | 9.3 |
| La Vina Middle Delano | 2.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Morningside Delano | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Cesar E. Chavez High Delano | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Wonderful College Prep Academy Delano | 3.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Pond Elementary Wasco | 4.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Columbine Elementary Delano | 5.4 mi | 9.0 |
| San Joaquin High (Continuation) Mcfarland | 6.3 mi | 3.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pioneer has a median household income of $61,329. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $271,700, with a median rent of $1,085/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Easterby Elementary Fresno, CA | 8.9 |
| John B. Monlux Elementary North Hollywood, CA | 8.9 |
| John Muir Fundamental Elementary Santa Ana, CA | 8.9 |
| Ninety-Second Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 8.9 |
| Williams (Spencer V.) Elementary Downey, CA | 8.9 |
| Yu (Alice Fong) Elementary San Francisco, CA | 8.9 |
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 is ranked #263 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pioneer's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Pioneer?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer has 29.2% math proficiency and 43.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Delano). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (661) 474-4911
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Delano Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 6,235
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,264
- District Rank
- #4 of 12
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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