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Average

#6819 of 9,539 schools in CA

Pony Express Elementary

Elementary School · Sacramento City Unified

1250 56th Ave., Sacramento, CA 95831

Enrollment

370

Student-Teacher

28.5:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#6,819 of 9,539

In Sacramento

#93 of 198

public schools

In district

#31 of 71

Sacramento City Unified

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Pony Express Elementary

5.3/10

Elementary School in Sacramento · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Caroline Wenzel Elementary

1.9/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alice Birney Waldorf-inspired

5.3/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pony Express Elementary

Pony Express Elementary is a public elementary school in Sacramento, CA, part of Sacramento City Unified. Pony Express Elementary serves approximately 370 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 28.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Pony Express Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #6,819 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Pony Express Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Pony Express Elementary runs 28.5:1 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 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-1.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.7 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,892
Chronic Absenteeism24.9%

Pony Express Elementary — Students at Pony Express Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
74%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
45.2%
ELA
43.8%
2024
Math
44.2%
ELA
46.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Pony Express Elementary Compares

See how Pony Express Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
29:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1250 56th Ave., Sacramento, CA 95831

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pony Express Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sol Aureus College Preparatory (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BROOKFIELD SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BERGAMO MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Caroline Wenzel Elementary Sacramento 0.7 mi 1.9
Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento 0.9 mi 5.3
John Bidwell Elementary Sacramento 1.0 mi 3.5
Sol Aureus College Preparatory Sacramento 1.0 mi 8.5
John Morse Therapeutic Center Sacramento 1.0 mi
Yav Pem Suab Academy - Preparing for the Future Charter Sacramento 1.1 mi 4.7
John D. Sloat Elementary Sacramento 1.2 mi 3.7
New Technology High Sacramento 1.3 mi 6.6
BERGAMO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sacramento 1.4 mi 6.4
BROOKFIELD SCHOOL Sacramento 1.4 mi 8.3
Riverside School Inc., dba Brookfield School Sacramento 1.4 mi
John F. Kennedy High Sacramento 1.2 mi 5.3
H. W. Harkness Elementary Sacramento 1.2 mi 3.7
School of Engineering & Sciences Sacramento 1.4 mi 6.0
John Cabrillo Elementary Sacramento 1.8 mi 5.3
Capitol Collegiate Academy Sacramento 1.7 mi 5.0
Rosa Parks Elementary Sacramento 1.5 mi 3.5
Sam Brannan Middle Sacramento 1.9 mi 3.1
Success Academy Sacramento 1.6 mi
Capital City Independent Study Sacramento 1.7 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95831 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,509

Median Home Value

$619,800

Median Rent

$1,864/mo

Population

44,366

College Educated

50.8%

Homeownership

56.9%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A. H. Morgan Elementary Rialto, CA 5.3
Acacia Magnet School for Enriched Learning Thousand Oaks, CA 5.3
Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA 5.3
Ann Soldo Elementary Watsonville, CA 5.3
Arlington Heights Elementary Los Angeles, CA 5.3
Arminta Street Elementary North Hollywood, CA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pony Express Elementary

What grades does Pony Express Elementary serve?

Pony Express Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Pony Express Elementary?

Pony Express Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pony Express Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Pony Express Elementary is 28.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pony Express Elementary rank in CA?

Pony Express Elementary ranks #6,819 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Pony Express Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pony Express Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Pony Express Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pony Express Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pony Express Elementary a charter school?

No, Pony Express Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pony Express Elementary a Title I school?

No, Pony Express Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pony Express Elementary?

62.4% of students at Pony Express 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

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Sacramento County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

District

Sacramento City Unified
District Enrollment
38,268
Schools in District
73
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,892
District Rank
#31 of 71

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