Very Good
#2537 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 27% in state
Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School · South San Francisco Unified
295 Ponderosa Rd., South San Francisco, CA 94080
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South San Francisco
#4 of 12
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,733 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 15
South San Francisco Unified
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Ponderosa Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary serves 370 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in South San Francisco, offering a solid educational foundation with a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1 and 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 73rd percentile statewide, placing it at #2578 among California's 9566 elementary schools. Academically, Ponderosa Elementary demonstrates steady performance with 50% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.
The school's academic score of 7.5 out of 10 reflects its commitment to providing quality instruction and student support. The school draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $126,916 and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of 6.7% and median home values of $1,111,900, the surrounding neighborhood reflects the economic stability typical of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Located on Ponderosa Road, this regular public school sits in the heart of South San Francisco's large suburban landscape, serving families in San Mateo County's diverse and thriving communities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 20.6:1, 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 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.7%
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: 7.6/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 50% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 50% (2024).
Location
295 Ponderosa Rd., South San Francisco, CA 94080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Buri Buri Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Monte Verde Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby San Bruno), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in South San Francisco, see our South San Francisco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| St. Veronica Catholic School South San Francisco | 0.2 mi | — |
| ST VERONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL South San Francisco | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Baden High (Continuation) South San Francisco | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| South San Francisco High South San Francisco | 0.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Los Cerritos Elementary South San Francisco | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Parkway Heights Middle South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Building Kidz South San Francisco | 1.1 mi | — |
| Wings Learning Center San Bruno | 1.2 mi | — |
| Sunshine Gardens Elementary South San Francisco | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| SHILOH UNITED SCHOOL South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Monte Verde Elementary San Bruno | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| STRATFORD SCHOOL San Bruno | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Spruce Elementary South San Francisco | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| El Camino High South San Francisco | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Stratford School - San Bruno Crestmoor Canyon San Bruno | 1.5 mi | — |
| Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY South San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| MILLS MONTESSORI South San Francisco | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$135,966
Median Home Value
$1,159,500
Median Rent
$2,840/mo
Population
65,036
College Educated
40.1%
Homeownership
60.8%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa Elementary has a median household income of $135,966. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,159,500, with a median rent of $2,840/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Santa Barbara, CA | 7.4 |
| Adelante Dual Language Academy II San Jose, CA | 7.4 |
| Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA | 7.4 |
| Anna Yates Elementary Emeryville, CA | 7.4 |
| Audubon Elementary Foster City, CA | 7.4 |
| BLACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL Berkeley, CA | 7.4 |
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 370 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 20.6:1. 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 #2537 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 49.7% math proficiency and 49.1% 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?
32.7% 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South San Francisco). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 370
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Mateo County
- Phone
- (650) 877-8825
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South San Francisco Unified- District Enrollment
- 7,770
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,850
- District Rank
- #6 of 15
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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