Needs Improvement
#9131 of 9,539 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
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,131 of 9,539
In Sacramento
#180 of 198
public schools
In district
#67 of 67
Elk Grove Unified
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Prairie Elementary
Elementary School in Sacramento · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Samuel Jackman Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rio Cazadero High (continuation)
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prairie Elementary
Prairie Elementary is a public elementary school in Sacramento, CA, part of Elk Grove Unified. Prairie Elementary serves approximately 857 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 25.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #9,131 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Prairie Elementary show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.3
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Prairie Elementary runs 25.2:1 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.
40% of students at Prairie Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 36 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: 3.3/10.
How Prairie Elementary Compares
See how Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Anna Kirchgater Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union House Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 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 | 5.3 |
| Rio Cazadero High (Continuation) Sacramento | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| John Reith Elementary Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Charles E. Mack Elementary Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Union House Elementary Sacramento | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Herman Leimbach Elementary Sacramento | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Valley High Sacramento | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Daylor (William) High (Continuation) Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Las Flores High (Alternative) Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Parkway Elementary Sacramento | 1.6 mi | 2.4 |
| Mustard Seed Sacramento | 1.7 mi | — |
| Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary Sacramento | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Susan B. Anthony Elementary Sacramento | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory Sacramento | 2.2 mi | — |
| Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| AL ARGAM ISLAMIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE PREPARATORY Sacramento | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| David Reese Elementary Sacramento | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Homeo-Balance Academy Sacramento | 2.3 mi | — |
| James Rutter Middle Sacramento | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cypress School of the Arts Hesperia, CA | 3.3 |
| Esperanza Elementary Palmdale, CA | 3.3 |
| Eugene Padan Elementary Vacaville, CA | 3.3 |
| Louise Foussat Elementary Oceanside, CA | 3.3 |
| Lugonia Elementary Redlands, CA | 3.3 |
| Palms Elementary Perris, 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 ranks #9,131 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Prairie Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Elementary has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.0%
- Phone
- (916) 422-1843
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
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