Average
#6326 of 9,539 schools in CA
Pioneer Elementary
Elementary School · Weaver Union
2950 Gerard Ave., Merced, CA 95341
Enrollment
1,062
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
1,062
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,326 of 9,539
In Merced
#14 of 37
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Weaver Union
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Pioneer Elementary
Elementary School in Merced · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Weaver Middle
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Golden Valley High
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pioneer Elementary
Pioneer Elementary is a public elementary school in Merced, CA, part of Weaver Union. Pioneer Elementary serves approximately 1,062 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,326 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
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.
38% of students at Pioneer Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pioneer Elementary — Students at Pioneer Elementary score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.
How Pioneer Elementary Compares
See how Pioneer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2950 Gerard Ave., Merced, CA 95341
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pioneer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Luther Burbank Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farmdale Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST PAUL SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Weaver Middle Merced | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Golden Valley High Merced | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 2.0 mi | — |
| St. Paul Lutheran School Merced | 2.3 mi | — |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Merced | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Don Stowell Elementary Merced | 2.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Sequoia High Merced | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Farmdale Elementary Merced | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 3.0 mi | 3.5 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Merced | 3.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Allan Peterson Elementary Merced | 3.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Merced High Merced | 3.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 3.2 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95341 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,516
Median Home Value
$295,300
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Population
34,956
College Educated
7.8%
Homeownership
39.3%
Avg Commute
29.7 min
Poverty Rate
27.3%
Median Age
27.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alamo Elementary Vacaville, CA | 5.6 |
| Anthony C. Traina Elementary Tracy, CA | 5.6 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Calexico, CA | 5.6 |
| Cole Elementary Clovis, CA | 5.6 |
| Cottonwood Canyon Elementary Lake Elsinore, CA | 5.6 |
| Discovery School of the Arts Victorville, CA | 5.6 |
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 1,062 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary is 20:1. 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 #6,326 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Pioneer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% 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?
80.1% 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 1,062
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Merced County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.6%
- Phone
- (209) 725-7111
Resources & Links
District
Weaver Union- District Enrollment
- 3,032
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,359
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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