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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.1%
Math vs. State Avg+12.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,111

Ponderosa Elementary — Students at Ponderosa Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2024
Math
58%
ELA
59.1%

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.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in CA
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Clara Unified
District Enrollment
14,236
Schools in District
30
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,283
District Rank
#26 of 28

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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