Excellent
#1032 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 11% in state
Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School · Santa Clara Unified
804 Ponderosa Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#1,032 of 9,539
In Sunnyvale
#8 of 18
public schools
In district
#11 of 28
Santa Clara Unified
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School in Sunnyvale · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Braly Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Marian A. Peterson Middle
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ponderosa Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary is a public elementary school in Sunnyvale, CA, part of Santa Clara Unified. Ponderosa Elementary serves approximately 513 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponderosa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,032 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Ponderosa Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- District avg 7.8
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Ponderosa Elementary runs 22.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ponderosa Elementary — Students at Ponderosa Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
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 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Braly Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Briarwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.4 |
| Marian A. Peterson Middle Sunnyvale | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Ellis Elementary Sunnyvale | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 9.3 |
| Briarwood Elementary Santa Clara | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Sunnyvale | 1.4 mi | — |
| Adrian Wilcox High Santa Clara | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Louis E. Stocklmeir Elementary Sunnyvale | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Acacia Elementary Fullerton, CA | 8.4 |
| Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA | 8.4 |
| Anaheim Hills Elementary Anaheim, CA | 8.4 |
| Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.4 |
| Bradley Elementary San Bernardino, CA | 8.4 |
| Braly Elementary Sunnyvale, CA | 8.4 |
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 ranks #1,032 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ponderosa Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponderosa Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.6%
- Phone
- (408) 423-4000
Resources & Links
District
Santa Clara Unified- District Enrollment
- 14,236
- Schools in District
- 30
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,283
- District Rank
- #11 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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