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Average

#4456 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 47% in state

Potter Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Potter Valley Community Unified

PO Box 219, Potter Valley, CA 95469

Enrollment

153

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Potter Valley

#3 of 3

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,785 of 5,817

In district

#3 of 3

Potter Valley Community Unified

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Potter Valley Elementary

Potter Valley Elementary is a rural elementary school located in the heart of Potter Valley, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 153 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers know each child well.

Potter Valley Elementary’s academic performance is currently rated at 5.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 51st percentile among California schools. In terms of proficiency scores, 34% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 36% meet these standards in math. While there is room for academic growth, the school focuses on providing a supportive learning environment that caters to individual student needs.

Potter Valley Elementary sits within a rural area where community ties run deep, fostering a strong sense of belonging among students and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 153 students, Potter Valley Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Potter Valley Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3%
Math vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.5 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,230

Potter Valley Elementary — Students at Potter Valley Elementary score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.4%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 34.1%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 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
37%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
36.3%
ELA
32.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.

How Potter Valley Elementary Compares

See how Potter Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

PO Box 219, Potter Valley, CA 95469

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Potter Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frank Zeek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tree of Life Charter (rated 7.6/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Ukiah), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF MENDOCINO COUNTY (rated 6.5/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Calpella), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Potter Valley, see our Potter Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Potter Valley High Potter Valley 0.0 mi 6.9
Potter Valley Junior High Potter Valley 0.0 mi 7.1
Eagle Peak Middle Redwood Valley 7.1 mi 6.3
The Waldorf School of Mendocino County Calpella 7.9 mi
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF MENDOCINO COUNTY Calpella 7.9 mi 6.5
Calpella Elementary Ukiah 8.1 mi 4.3
Deep Valley Christian Redwood Valley 7.7 mi
DEEP VALLEY CHRISTIAN Redwood Valley 7.7 mi 4.7
Tree of Life Charter Ukiah 12.0 mi 7.6
Redwood Collegiate Academy Ukiah 12.2 mi 6.7
Sequoia Career Academy Ukiah 12.4 mi 5.8
Oak Manor Elementary Ukiah 12.8 mi 4.6
Frank Zeek Elementary Ukiah 12.5 mi 8.6
West Hills Juvenile Hall Court Ukiah 12.6 mi
Mendocino County Community Ukiah 12.6 mi
Ukiah High Ukiah 12.6 mi 5.6
Instilling Goodness Developing Virtue School Ukiah 13.4 mi
Ukiah Independent Study Academy Ukiah 12.6 mi 5.9
Orr Creek Ukiah 12.7 mi
River Oak Charter Ukiah 13.1 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95469 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,402

Median Home Value

$593,800

Median Rent

$1,406/mo

Population

1,503

College Educated

34.6%

Homeownership

67.5%

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

49.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Potter Valley Elementary has a median household income of $66,402. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $593,800, with a median rent of $1,406/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CALVARY CHAPEL ACADEMY Yorba Linda, CA 6.5
CALVARY CHAPEL RIALTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rialto, CA 6.5
DAVIS WALDORF SCHOOL Davis, CA 6.5
FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF SILICON VALLEY Sunnyvale, CA 6.5
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Monrovia, CA 6.5
Larry G. Meeks Academy Sacramento, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Potter Valley Elementary

What grades does Potter Valley Elementary serve?

Potter Valley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Potter Valley Elementary?

Potter Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 153 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Potter Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Potter Valley Elementary is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Potter Valley Elementary rank in CA?

Potter Valley Elementary is ranked #4456 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Potter Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Potter Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Potter Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Potter Valley Elementary has 36.4% math proficiency and 34.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Potter Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Potter Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Potter Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Potter Valley Elementary?

58.8% of students at Potter Valley 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

County Safety
Average (305/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mendocino County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Potter Valley Community Unified
District Enrollment
277
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,312
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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