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Needs Improvement

#9147 of 9,539 schools in CA

Pioneer Elementary

Elementary School · Pioneer Union

6862 Mt. Aukum Rd., Somerset, CA 95684

Enrollment

198

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,147 of 9,539

In Somerset

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Pioneer Union

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Pioneer Elementary

3.3/10

Elementary School in Somerset · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mountain Creek Middle

4.8/10

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

Gold Oak Elementary

4.5/10

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

About Pioneer Elementary

Pioneer Elementary is a public elementary school in Somerset, CA, part of Pioneer Union. Pioneer Elementary serves approximately 198 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #9,147 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.9 pts below CA schools
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 198 students, Pioneer Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Pioneer Elementary runs 22:1 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 Elementary 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,298
Chronic Absenteeism36.9%

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 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 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
77%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2016
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
22%
2021*
Math
22%
2022
Math
28.8%
ELA
28.6%
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: 2.5/10.

How Pioneer Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.9%

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. Camino Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Camino), 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, Sierra Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Placerville), 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 4.8
Gold Oak Elementary Placerville 6.1 mi 4.5
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 5.6
Indian Diggings Elementary Somerset 7.5 mi
Independence Continuation Placerville 8.4 mi 4.4
Pacific Crest Academy El Dorado 8.2 mi 7.8
Sky Mountain Charter Placerville 8.7 mi 6.7
Union Mine High El Dorado 8.3 mi 5.5
Blaise Pascal School El Dorado 8.4 mi
Louisiana Schnell Elementary Placerville 9.6 mi 2.4
Sierra Elementary Placerville 9.4 mi 5.4
SUMMITVIEW RANCH ACADEMY Placerville 9.0 mi
Herbert C. Green Middle Placerville 9.4 mi 4.2
El Dorado High Placerville 10.2 mi 5.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Valley Home Kingsburg, CA 3.3
Knolls Elementary Simi Valley, CA 3.3
Leataata Floyd Elementary Sacramento, CA 3.3
Los Robles Academy Hacienda Heights, CA 3.3
El Dorado Elementary San Francisco, CA 3.2
KIPP Generations Academy Gardena, CA 3.2

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 ranks #9,147 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Pioneer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Pioneer Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.9%

District

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

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