Very Good
#2928 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 31% in state
Planada Elementary
Elementary School · Planada Elementary
PO Box 236, Planada, CA 95365
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Planada
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,958 of 5,817
In district
#2 of 2
Planada Elementary
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Planada Elementary
Planada Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Planada, California. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 585 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.7:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest academic performance ranking at 40th percentile among California schools (with room for improvement), Planada Elementary focuses on nurturing young minds in a supportive rural setting.
With ELA proficiency rates standing at 34% and math proficiency at 23%, the school is working diligently to enhance student achievement through targeted educational programs. The surrounding area offers a close-knit community atmosphere, making it a unique place for children to grow and learn together. Planada Elementary thrives in its rural environment, providing a nurturing space where students can develop their skills and interests away from the hustle and bustle of urban settings.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Planada Elementary is 21.7:1, 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, Planada 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Planada Elementary — Students at Planada Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Planada Elementary Compares
See how Planada Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24% (2019) to 25.37% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 34.7% (2024).
Location
PO Box 236, Planada, CA 95365
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Planada Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Plainsburg Union Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Merced), with a very similar rating. Another option is Le Grand Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Le Grand), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pioneer Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Merced), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Planada, see our Planada schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cesar E. Chavez Middle Planada | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Plainsburg Union Elementary Merced | 3.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Le Grand High Le Grand | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Granada High Le Grand | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Le Grand Elementary Le Grand | 5.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Weaver Middle Merced | 6.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Pioneer Elementary Merced | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
| St. Paul Lutheran School Merced | 7.2 mi | — |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Merced | 7.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Golden Valley High Merced | 7.4 mi | 5.9 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Merced | 7.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced | 7.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 7.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 7.9 mi | — |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 8.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 8.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 8.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Allan Peterson Elementary Merced | 8.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced | 8.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Merced City School District Community Day Merced | 8.8 mi | 2.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95365 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,718
Median Home Value
$237,200
Median Rent
$893/mo
Population
4,009
College Educated
3.9%
Homeownership
49.4%
Poverty Rate
32.7%
Median Age
34.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Planada Elementary has a median household income of $40,718. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,200, with a median rent of $893/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Alpha Elementary Madera, CA | 7.2 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos, CA | 7.2 |
| Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA | 7.2 |
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA | 7.2 |
| Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Planada Elementary
What grades does Planada Elementary serve?
Planada Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Planada Elementary?
Planada Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 585 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Planada Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Planada Elementary is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Planada Elementary rank in CA?
Planada Elementary is ranked #2928 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Planada Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Planada Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Planada Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Planada Elementary has 23.0% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Planada Elementary a charter school?
No, Planada Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Planada Elementary a Title I school?
No, Planada Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Planada Elementary?
89.6% of students at Planada 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 585
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 382-0351
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Planada Elementary- District Enrollment
- 870
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,210
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.