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Very Good

#2491 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 26% in state

Pioneer Elementary

Elementary School · Pioneer Union Elementary

8810 14th Ave., Hanford, CA 93230

Charter

Enrollment

501

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hanford

#6 of 26

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,706 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 3

Pioneer Union Elementary

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Pioneer Elementary

Pioneer Elementary serves 501 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Hanford, California, operating as a charter school with 21 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 23.9:1 student-teacher ratio. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 74th percentile statewide at #2539 out of 9566 California elementary schools. Students show particularly strong performance in English Language Arts, with 61% scoring proficient or above across grade levels.

Math achievement stands at 47% proficient or above, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. The school's overall academic score of 7.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student learning and development. Pioneer Elementary draws families from the surrounding 93230 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $72,996 and median home value reaches $294,300.

The community has a 14% poverty rate, with 18% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on 14th Avenue in this small suburban setting, Pioneer Elementary serves a diverse population of nearly 69,000 residents in the greater Hanford area of Kings County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary is 23.9:1, 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.

Pioneer Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.5%
Math vs. State Avg+0.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.7 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,076

Pioneer Elementary — Students at Pioneer Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.5%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 59.2%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
46.5%
ELA
61.5%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Pioneer Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in CA
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

8810 14th Ave., Hanford, CA 93230

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Roosevelt Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Monroe Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Armona Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Armona), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hanford, see our Hanford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Sierra Pacific High Hanford 1.3 mi 5.9
Frontier Elementary Hanford 1.2 mi 4.0
Armona Union Academy Armona 2.1 mi
ARMONA UNION ACADEMY Armona 2.1 mi 7.4
Parkview Middle Armona 2.3 mi 6.2
Armona Elementary Armona 2.4 mi 7.5
Golden Grain Academy Hanford 2.2 mi
Joseph M. Simas Hanford 2.4 mi 7.4
J. C. Montgomery Hanford 2.6 mi
Hanford Online Charter Hanford 2.7 mi 5.5
New Testament Baptist Schools Hanford 2.7 mi
Hanford West High Hanford 2.9 mi 5.9
Woodrow Wilson Junior High Hanford 3.2 mi 6.7
Jefferson Academy Hanford 3.2 mi 6.5
Roosevelt Elementary Hanford 3.5 mi 8.3
Monroe Elementary Hanford 3.3 mi 8.2
Crossroads Charter Academy Armona 3.5 mi 6.9
Kings Valley Academy II Hanford 3.6 mi 4.8
Hanford Community Day Hanford 3.6 mi 6.9
Earl F. Johnson High (Continuation) Hanford 3.6 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93230 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,558

Median Home Value

$321,900

Median Rent

$1,208/mo

Population

69,130

College Educated

17%

Homeownership

61.5%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pioneer Elementary has a median household income of $73,558. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $321,900, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA 7.4
Adelante Dual Language Academy II San Jose, CA 7.4
Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA 7.4
Anna Yates Elementary Emeryville, CA 7.4
Audubon Elementary Foster City, CA 7.4
BLACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL Berkeley, CA 7.4

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 501 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary is 23.9:1. 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 #2491 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pioneer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 46.5% math proficiency and 59.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pioneer Elementary a charter school?

Yes, Pioneer Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

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?

49.7% 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,668/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hanford). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Kings County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pioneer Union Elementary
District Enrollment
1,636
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,182
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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