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Below Average

#8501 of 9,539 schools in CA

Poplar Avenue Elementary

Elementary School · Thermalito Union Elementary

2075 Poplar Ave., Oroville, CA 95965

Enrollment

324

Student-Teacher

27:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,501 of 9,539

In Oroville

#17 of 22

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Thermalito Union Elementary

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Poplar Avenue Elementary

4.1/10

Elementary School in Oroville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sierra Avenue Elementary

3.9/10

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

Butte County Special Education

3.3/10

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

About Poplar Avenue Elementary

Poplar Avenue Elementary is a public elementary school in Oroville, CA, part of Thermalito Union Elementary. Poplar Avenue Elementary serves approximately 324 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 27:1 student-teacher ratio. Poplar Avenue Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #8,501 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Poplar Avenue Elementary show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Poplar Avenue Elementary runs 27:1 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.

Poplar Avenue Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,171
Chronic Absenteeism15.1%

Poplar Avenue Elementary — Students at Poplar Avenue Elementary score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 31.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (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
62%
ELA
32%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
28.3%
ELA
28.3%
2024
Math
19.3%
ELA
27.5%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Poplar Avenue Elementary Compares

See how Poplar Avenue Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
11th percentile in CA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

Location

2075 Poplar Ave., Oroville, CA 95965

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplar Avenue Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakdale Heights Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Siskiyou Avenue Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wyandotte Academy (rated 6.1/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oroville, see our Oroville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Sierra Avenue Elementary Oroville 1.2 mi 3.9
Butte County Special Education Oroville 1.9 mi 3.3
Nelson Avenue Middle Oroville 1.9 mi 7.3
Heritage Community Day Oroville 1.9 mi
Siskiyou Avenue Elementary Oroville 1.9 mi 6.1
Hearthstone Oroville 2.0 mi 6.6
Plumas Avenue Elementary Oroville 2.0 mi 5.2
STREAM Charter Oroville 2.4 mi 3.7
Oroville High Community Day Oroville 2.4 mi
Prospect High (Continuation) Oroville 2.4 mi 5.6
Table Mountain Oroville 2.5 mi
St. Thomas the Apostle Oroville 2.7 mi
ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Oroville 2.7 mi 5.6
Ipakanni Early College Charter Oroville 3.1 mi 6.8
Come Back Butte Charter Oroville 3.1 mi 3.0
BASES Learning Center Oroville 3.5 mi
Oroville High Oroville 3.5 mi 6.1
The Studios @ Central Oroville 3.7 mi 4.4
Wyandotte Academy Oroville 3.8 mi 6.1
Oakdale Heights Elementary Oroville 4.2 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95965 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,367

Median Home Value

$295,500

Median Rent

$1,112/mo

Population

20,854

College Educated

15.9%

Homeownership

61%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aspire Summit Charter Academy Oakland, CA 4.1
COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bakersfield, CA 4.1
Casa de Oro Elementary La Mesa, CA 4.1
D. W. Babcock Elementary Sacramento, CA 4.1
Davis Elementary Stockton, CA 4.1
East Oakland Pride Elementary Oakland, CA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplar Avenue Elementary

What grades does Poplar Avenue Elementary serve?

Poplar Avenue Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Poplar Avenue Elementary?

Poplar Avenue Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 324 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplar Avenue Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Poplar Avenue Elementary is 27:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poplar Avenue Elementary rank in CA?

Poplar Avenue Elementary ranks #8,501 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Poplar Avenue Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar Avenue Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Poplar Avenue Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Poplar Avenue Elementary has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Poplar Avenue Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Poplar Avenue Elementary a Title I school?

No, Poplar Avenue Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poplar Avenue Elementary?

79.9% of students at Poplar Avenue 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher Ratio
27:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Butte County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

District

Thermalito Union Elementary
District Enrollment
1,520
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,171
District Rank
#4 of 5

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