Average
#3720 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 39% in state
Ponderosa High
High School · El Dorado Union High
3661 Ponderosa Rd., Shingle Springs, CA 95682
Enrollment
1,689
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,689
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shingle Springs
#2 of 4
public schools
California high schools
#704 of 1,892
In district
#1 of 6
El Dorado Union High
Equity
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Ponderosa High
Ponderosa High serves 1,689 students in grades 9-12 in Shingle Springs, a prosperous community in El Dorado County. With 71 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1, providing a comprehensive high school experience in California's Gold Country region. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile among California high schools at #2050 out of 9,566 schools statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 73% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents more opportunities for growth, with 48% of students meeting proficiency standards. Ponderosa High draws from an affluent community where families have a median household income of $108,556 and median home values reach $640,700.
The surrounding area of nearly 30,000 residents includes 38% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low 6.4% poverty rate, reflecting the economic stability of the region. The school sits in Shingle Springs' large suburban setting, where families appreciate the blend of small-town character with proximity to both Sacramento's urban amenities and the Sierra Nevada foothills' natural beauty.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa High is 23.8:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ponderosa High — Students at Ponderosa High score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 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: 6.4/10.
How Ponderosa High Compares
See how Ponderosa High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 48.24% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 72.54% (2024).
Location
3661 Ponderosa Rd., Shingle Springs, CA 95682
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Charter Alternative Program (CAP) (rated 8.2/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Placerville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Valley Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Rescue), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rescue Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Rescue), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Shingle Springs, see our Shingle Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CAMERON PARK MONTESSORI Shingle Springs | 0.9 mi | — |
| Buckeye Elementary Shingle Springs | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| California Montessori Project-Shingle Springs Campus Carmichael | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Rescue Elementary Rescue | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Studia Nova Cameron Park | 3.2 mi | — |
| Camerado Springs Middle Cameron Park | 3.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Blue Oak Elementary Cameron Park | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Roundtree Acadamy Placerville | 4.1 mi | — |
| Green Valley Elementary Rescue | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
| HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL El Dorado Hills | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Holy Trinity School El Dorado Hills | 4.4 mi | — |
| Pleasant Grove Middle Rescue | 4.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Indian Creek Elementary Placerville | 5.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Charter Community School Home Study Academy Placerville | 5.2 mi | 6.8 |
| El Dorado Co Office of Ed Special Ed Programs Placerville | 5.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Charter Alternative Program (CAP) Placerville | 5.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Sutters Mill Placerville | 6.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Union Mine High El Dorado | 5.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Blaise Pascal School El Dorado | 5.7 mi | — |
| SUMMITVIEW RANCH ACADEMY Placerville | 5.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95682 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,621
Median Home Value
$682,100
Median Rent
$1,771/mo
Population
29,249
College Educated
39.9%
Homeownership
74.9%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
46.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa High has a median household income of $115,621. 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 $682,100, with a median rent of $1,771/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Aptos High Aptos, CA | 6.8 |
| Archie Williams High San Anselmo, CA | 6.8 |
| Buena Park High Buena Park, CA | 6.8 |
| Calabasas High Calabasas, CA | 6.8 |
| Carson Senior High Carson, CA | 6.8 |
| Chico High Chico, CA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa High
What grades does Ponderosa High serve?
Ponderosa High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ponderosa High?
Ponderosa High has an enrollment of approximately 1,689 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa High?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa High is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponderosa High rank in CA?
Ponderosa High is ranked #3720 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Ponderosa High's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa High has 54.4% math proficiency and 74.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa High a charter school?
No, Ponderosa High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa High a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa High?
17.8% of students at Ponderosa High 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,689
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 71
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- El Dorado County
- Phone
- (530) 677-2281
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
El Dorado Union High- District Enrollment
- 6,541
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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