Very Good
#2710 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 28% in state
Plainsburg Union Elementary
Elementary School · Plainsburg Union Elementary
3708 South Plainsburg Rd., Merced, CA 95341
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#2 of 37
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,829 of 5,817
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Plainsburg Union Elementary
Plainsburg Union Elementary is a rural elementary school in Merced, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 107 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.8:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Plainsburg Union Elementary offers a supportive learning environment where students receive individual attention from dedicated educators.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school receives a score of 6.5 out of 10 and is ranked at number 3188 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 67th percentile among state schools. Academically, Plainsburg Union Elementary has an average ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 50% and a math proficiency rate of 31%, indicating areas for growth but also showcasing solid foundational learning. Plainsburg Union Elementary is nestled in a rural area, offering students a close-knit community where they can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 107 students, Plainsburg Union 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 Plainsburg Union Elementary is 26.8:1, 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, Plainsburg Union 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
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Plainsburg Union Elementary — Students at Plainsburg Union Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.7/10.
How Plainsburg Union Elementary Compares
See how Plainsburg Union Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 33.78% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52.7% (2024).
Location
3708 South Plainsburg Rd., Merced, CA 95341
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plainsburg Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Planada Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Planada), with a very similar rating. Another option is Le Grand Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Le Grand), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ronald Reagan Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Chowchilla), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Planada | 3.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Planada Elementary Planada | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Le Grand High Le Grand | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Granada High Le Grand | 3.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Le Grand Elementary Le Grand | 4.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Pioneer Elementary Merced | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Weaver Middle Merced | 7.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Stephens Elementary Chowchilla | 8.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Merle L. Fuller Elementary Chowchilla | 8.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Wilson Middle Chowchilla | 8.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Chowchilla | 8.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Chowchilla Union High Chowchilla | 8.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Gateway High (Continuation) Chowchilla | 8.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Golden Valley High Merced | 7.9 mi | 5.9 |
| St. Paul Lutheran School Merced | 8.5 mi | — |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Merced | 8.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 8.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 8.8 mi | — |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced | 9.2 mi | 3.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Plainsburg Union Elementary has a median household income of $55,516. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,300, with a median rent of $1,172/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beverly Hills, CA | 7.3 |
| MAPLE VILLAGE WALDORF SCHOOL Long Beach, CA | 7.3 |
| Outside Creek Elementary Visalia, CA | 7.3 |
| SAHAG-MESROB ARMENIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Altadena, CA | 7.3 |
| SS FELICITAS & PERPETUA SCHOOL San Marino, CA | 7.3 |
| ST KATHARINE DREXEL ACADEMY San Diego, CA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plainsburg Union Elementary
What grades does Plainsburg Union Elementary serve?
Plainsburg Union Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Plainsburg Union Elementary?
Plainsburg Union Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 107 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plainsburg Union Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Plainsburg Union Elementary is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plainsburg Union Elementary rank in CA?
Plainsburg Union Elementary is ranked #2710 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Plainsburg Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Plainsburg Union Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Plainsburg Union Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plainsburg Union Elementary has 30.9% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Plainsburg Union Elementary a charter school?
No, Plainsburg Union Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plainsburg Union Elementary a Title I school?
No, Plainsburg Union Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plainsburg Union Elementary?
53.3% of students at Plainsburg Union 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 107
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 389-4707
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Plainsburg Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 107
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,111
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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