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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.7%
Math vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected+6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,235

Planada Elementary — Students at Planada Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 12 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
24%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
26%
2024
Math
25.2%
ELA
34.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (615/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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