Needs Improvement
#9317 of 9,533 schools in CA
Pioneer Elementary
Elementary School · Pioneer Union
6862 Mt. Aukum Rd., Somerset, CA 95684
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Somerset
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,645 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 2
Pioneer Union
About Pioneer Elementary
Pioneer Elementary is a rural public elementary school located in Somerset, California, nestled along Mt. Aukum Road in El Dorado County. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 198 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1.
The dedicated teaching staff consists of nine full-time equivalent teachers. While Pioneer Elementary's academic performance is currently rated at the lower end compared to other California schools, placing it in the 11th percentile statewide, the school remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment focused on student development and growth. On standardized tests, 31% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 26% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Pioneer Elementary is situated in a rural setting where community support plays an integral role in the school’s operations and success. The tight-knit nature of this area helps create a nurturing atmosphere for both students and teachers alike.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 198 students, Pioneer Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary is 22:1, 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 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
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Pioneer Elementary — Students at Pioneer Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 11 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: 2.3/10.
How Pioneer Elementary Compares
See how Pioneer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 26.04% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 25.53% (2024).
Location
6862 Mt. Aukum Rd., Somerset, CA 95684
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pioneer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sierra Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Placerville), which scores notably higher. Another option is EL DORADO ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Placerville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Camino Elementary (rated 4.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Camino), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Somerset, see our Somerset schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Creek Middle Somerset | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Gold Oak Elementary Placerville | 6.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Pleasant Valley Middle Placerville | 6.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Heritage Oaks Academy El Dorado | 5.3 mi | — |
| EL DORADO ADVENTIST SCHOOL Placerville | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| El Dorado Adventist Placerville | 8.8 mi | — |
| Camino Polytechnic Camino | 9.0 mi | — |
| Camino Elementary Camino | 9.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Indian Diggings Elementary Somerset | 7.5 mi | — |
| Independence Continuation Placerville | 8.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Pacific Crest Academy El Dorado | 8.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Sky Mountain Charter Placerville | 8.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Union Mine High El Dorado | 8.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Blaise Pascal School El Dorado | 8.4 mi | — |
| Louisiana Schnell Elementary Placerville | 9.6 mi | 2.5 |
| Sierra Elementary Placerville | 9.4 mi | 6.7 |
| SUMMITVIEW RANCH ACADEMY Placerville | 9.0 mi | — |
| Herbert C. Green Middle Placerville | 9.4 mi | 4.9 |
| El Dorado High Placerville | 10.2 mi | 5.4 |
| COUNTRY DAY MONTESSORI Placerville | 10.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95684 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,163
Median Home Value
$517,800
Median Rent
$1,215/mo
Population
2,637
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
59.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pioneer Elementary has a median household income of $78,163. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $517,800, with a median rent of $1,215/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Fletcher Elementary San Diego, CA | 3.4 |
| Highland Pacific Elementary Highland, CA | 3.4 |
| Pauma Elementary Pauma Valley, CA | 3.4 |
| Anderson Valley Elementary Boonville, CA | 3.5 |
| BEATITUDES OF OUR LORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL La Mirada, CA | 3.5 |
| Empire Gardens Elementary San Jose, CA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pioneer Elementary
What grades does Pioneer Elementary serve?
Pioneer Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Pioneer Elementary?
Pioneer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pioneer Elementary rank in CA?
Pioneer Elementary is ranked #9317 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Pioneer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer 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 Pioneer Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer Elementary has 26.3% math proficiency and 30.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pioneer Elementary a charter school?
No, Pioneer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pioneer Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pioneer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pioneer Elementary?
51.0% of students at Pioneer 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
- County Safety
- Average (560/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- El Dorado County
- Phone
- (530) 620-7210
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pioneer Union- District Enrollment
- 283
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,298
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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