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Average

#4288 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 45% in state

Pioneer Technical Center

School · Madera County Superintendent of Schools

1105 South Madera Ave., Madera, CA 93637

Charter

Enrollment

243

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Madera

#12 of 41

public schools

California schools

#120 of 475

In district

#1 of 3

Madera County Superintendent of Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Pioneer Technical Center

Pioneer Technical Center in Madera, California is an alternative school serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 243 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. The school's charter status allows it to offer unique programs tailored to individual needs.

Academically, Pioneer Technical Center has room for improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and state ranking of #7385 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 23rd percentile. Test scores show that only 16% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 2% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Pioneer Technical Center focuses on providing a supportive and nurturing environment for its diverse student body.

The school is situated in a small suburban area of Madera County, offering a close-knit community feel.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Pioneer Technical Center are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Technical Center is 20.2:1, 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 Technical Center 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.8%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40 pts
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$64,738

Pioneer Technical Center — Students at Pioneer Technical Center score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 1.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 15.6%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2024
ELA
17.6%

* 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 Technical Center Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in CA
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

1105 South Madera Ave., Madera, CA 93637

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Technical Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Duane E. Furman Independent Study (rated 6.5/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Gould Educational Center (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Madera County Independent Academy (rated 5.8/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madera, see our Madera schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Juvenile Hall (Endeavor/Voyager Secondary) Madera 0.1 mi
Madera County Independent Academy Madera 0.2 mi 5.8
Virginia Lee Rose Elementary Madera 0.5 mi 5.8
Sierra Vista Elementary Madera 0.7 mi 3.9
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Madera 0.9 mi 5.8
Parkwood Elementary Madera 1.2 mi 7.1
Millview Elementary Madera 1.4 mi 5.1
Mountain Vista High Madera 1.4 mi 7.1
Cesar Chavez Elementary Madera 1.4 mi 6.4
Gould Educational Center Madera 1.3 mi 6.1
James Madison Elementary Madera 1.7 mi 6.8
Madera High Madera 1.7 mi 5.9
George Washington Elementary Madera 1.9 mi 7.5
ST JOACHIM SCHOOL Madera 1.8 mi 4.3
St. Joachim Elementary Madera 1.8 mi
Alpha Elementary Madera 1.9 mi 7.2
Madera South High Madera 2.0 mi 7.5
John J. Pershing Elementary Madera 2.5 mi 6.1
Duane E. Furman Independent Study Madera 2.1 mi 6.5
James Monroe Elementary Madera 2.5 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93637 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,621

Median Home Value

$369,200

Median Rent

$1,345/mo

Population

42,278

College Educated

13.3%

Homeownership

57.8%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

20%

Median Age

33

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pioneer Technical Center has a median household income of $74,621. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,200, with a median rent of $1,345/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Decoto School for Independent Study Union City, CA 6.6
PROVIDENCE SCHOOL Santa Barbara, CA 6.6
STOCKTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stockton, CA 6.6
SUMMERFIELD WALDORF SCHOOL AND FARM Santa Rosa, CA 6.6
Valley Academy El Centro, CA 6.6
Chawanakee Academy Charter O'Neals, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Technical Center

What grades does Pioneer Technical Center serve?

Pioneer Technical Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Pioneer Technical Center?

Pioneer Technical Center has an enrollment of approximately 243 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Technical Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Technical Center is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer Technical Center rank in CA?

Pioneer Technical Center is ranked #4288 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Pioneer Technical Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Technical Center has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Technical Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer Technical Center has 1.9% math proficiency and 15.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pioneer Technical Center a charter school?

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

Is Pioneer Technical Center a Title I school?

No, Pioneer Technical Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pioneer Technical Center?

92.6% of students at Pioneer Technical Center 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

City Safety
High (1,647/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.6%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Madera County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Madera County Superintendent of Schools
District Enrollment
687
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$71,630
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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