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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.5%
Math vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-20.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,516

Pioneer Elementary — Students at Pioneer Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.3%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 30.6%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 11 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
22%
2024
Math
26%
ELA
25.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pioneer Union
District Enrollment
283
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,298
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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