Needs Improvement
#9342 of 9,533 schools in CA
Prairie Elementary
Elementary School · Elk Grove Unified
5251 Valley Hi Dr., Sacramento, CA 95823
Enrollment
857
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
857
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sacramento
#190 of 196
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,664 of 5,817
In district
#67 of 67
Elk Grove Unified
About Prairie Elementary
Prairie Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade students in Sacramento, California, with an enrollment of 857 students. As a regular public school in the state capital, it operates with 34 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 25.2:1. The school is currently experiencing significant academic challenges.
Statewide, Prairie Elementary ranks in the fifth percentile of California schools, with an overall academic score of 2.6 out of 10. In English Language Arts, 26 percent of students tested at proficient levels or above, while in mathematics, 18 percent achieved proficiency or above. These results suggest the school has substantial room for academic growth and improvement.
For families considering Prairie Elementary, it's important to understand the school's current performance trajectory and to explore what specific support systems and initiatives the school is implementing to help students succeed. Parents may want to connect directly with school leadership to discuss curriculum changes, tutoring programs, or other interventions designed to strengthen student achievement in core academics. Located in a large city setting, Prairie Elementary serves families throughout Sacramento's 95823 neighborhood area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary is 25.2:1, 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
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Prairie Elementary — Students at Prairie Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.9/10.
How Prairie Elementary Compares
See how Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 15.59% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 24.2% (2024).
Location
5251 Valley Hi Dr., Sacramento, CA 95823
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Susan B. Anthony Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Anna Kirchgater Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union House Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sacramento, see our Sacramento schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Jackman Middle Sacramento | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Rio Cazadero High (Continuation) Sacramento | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| John Reith Elementary Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Charles E. Mack Elementary Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Union House Elementary Sacramento | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Herman Leimbach Elementary Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Valley High Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Daylor (William) High (Continuation) Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Las Flores High (Alternative) Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Parkway Elementary Sacramento | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Mustard Seed Sacramento | 1.7 mi | — |
| Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary Sacramento | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Susan B. Anthony Elementary Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory Sacramento | 2.2 mi | — |
| Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| AL ARGAM ISLAMIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE PREPARATORY Sacramento | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| David Reese Elementary Sacramento | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Homeo-Balance Academy Sacramento | 2.3 mi | — |
| James Rutter Middle Sacramento | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,701
Median Home Value
$372,100
Median Rent
$1,533/mo
Population
83,254
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
46%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
18.6%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $63,701. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $372,100, with a median rent of $1,533/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert, CA | 3.3 |
| Center Elementary Fairfield, CA | 3.3 |
| Desert View Elementary Lancaster, CA | 3.3 |
| Flying Hills School of Arts El Cajon, CA | 3.3 |
| Jack Northrop Elementary Lancaster, CA | 3.3 |
| Joshua Circle Elementary Hesperia, CA | 3.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Elementary
What grades does Prairie Elementary serve?
Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Prairie Elementary?
Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 857 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Elementary rank in CA?
Prairie Elementary is ranked #9342 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Prairie Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Elementary has 17.5% math proficiency and 25.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Elementary a charter school?
No, Prairie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Elementary a Title I school?
No, Prairie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Elementary?
80.3% of students at Prairie 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,332/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sacramento). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 857
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Sacramento County
- Phone
- (916) 422-1843
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Elk Grove Unified- District Enrollment
- 62,603
- Schools in District
- 67
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,966
- District Rank
- #67 of 67
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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