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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.7%
Math vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.9 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,575

Plainsburg Union Elementary — Students at Plainsburg Union Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.9%
School
State
37.2%
ELA Proficiency 49.8%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
33%
ELA
51.6%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Plainsburg Union Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in CA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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