Average
#6704 of 9,533 schools in CA
Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Clara Unified
804 Ponderosa Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sunnyvale
#18 of 18
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,979 of 5,817
In district
#26 of 28
Santa Clara Unified
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Ponderosa Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary serves 513 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Sunnyvale, California. With 23 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.3 to 1, creating a structured learning environment for its elementary students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks in the 81st percentile among California elementary schools, placing it at #1830 out of 9566 schools statewide.
Students show strong achievement in core subjects, with 59% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 58% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. Ponderosa Elementary sits in an affluent neighborhood where families are highly educated, with 70% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community reflects economic stability, with a median household income of $171,265 and a low poverty rate of 5.3%.
Median home values in the area reach $1,631,700, indicating a well-established residential community. The school operates as a regular public elementary school in this mid-size city setting within Santa Clara County, serving families in a ZIP code area with nearly 50,000 residents who value educational achievement and community investment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 22.3:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Ponderosa Elementary — Students at Ponderosa Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 58.13% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 59.07% (2024).
Location
804 Ponderosa Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Laurelwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores notably higher. Another option is SILICON VALLEY ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SANTA CLARA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sunnyvale, see our Sunnyvale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Braly Elementary Sunnyvale | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Marian A. Peterson Middle Sunnyvale | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| ST LAWRENCE ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Clara | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| St. Lawrence School Santa Clara | 0.8 mi | — |
| New Valley Continuation High Santa Clara | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Ellis Elementary Sunnyvale | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| STRATFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL Sunnyvale | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| SILICON VALLEY ACADEMY Sunnyvale | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| SANTA CLARA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Clara | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Helios School Sunnyvale | 1.0 mi | — |
| Laurelwood Elementary Santa Clara | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Briarwood Elementary Santa Clara | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Sunnyvale | 1.4 mi | — |
| Adrian Wilcox High Santa Clara | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| THE KING'S ACADEMY Sunnyvale | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| RAINBOW MONTESSORI Sunnyvale | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Rainbow Montessori Sunnyvale | 1.7 mi | — |
| CHAMPION KINDER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Sunnyvale | 1.4 mi | — |
| Pomeroy Elementary Santa Clara | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Louis E. Stocklmeir Elementary Sunnyvale | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94086 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$180,217
Median Home Value
$1,784,200
Median Rent
$2,923/mo
Population
48,956
College Educated
70.2%
Homeownership
30.8%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa Elementary has a median household income of $180,217. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,784,200, with a median rent of $2,923/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| A. H. Morgan Elementary Rialto, CA | 5.5 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Colton, CA | 5.5 |
| Big Springs Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 5.5 |
| Bixby Elementary Long Beach, CA | 5.5 |
| Blackford Elementary San Jose, CA | 5.5 |
| Blanche Sprentz Elementary Folsom, CA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa Elementary
What grades does Ponderosa Elementary serve?
Ponderosa Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Ponderosa Elementary?
Ponderosa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 513 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponderosa Elementary rank in CA?
Ponderosa Elementary is ranked #6704 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Ponderosa Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa Elementary has 61.0% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a charter school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa Elementary?
26.7% of students at Ponderosa 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
- City Safety
- High (2,176/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sunnyvale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 513
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Santa Clara County
- Phone
- (408) 423-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Santa Clara Unified- District Enrollment
- 14,236
- Schools in District
- 30
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,283
- District Rank
- #26 of 28
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.
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