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Excellent

#1069 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 11% in state

Prairie Elementary

Elementary School · Pacheco Union Elementary

20981 Dersch Rd., Anderson, CA 96007

Enrollment

335

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Anderson

#2 of 12

public schools

California elementary schools

#774 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 2

Pacheco Union Elementary

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Prairie Elementary

Prairie Elementary is a public elementary school in Anderson, CA, part of the Pacheco Union Elementary. The school serves approximately 335 students in grades Kindergarten – 3rd with a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 46% proficiency in math, 5 points above the state average and 49% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,000, where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary is 20.9:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Prairie 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 Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.2%
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,557

Prairie Elementary — Students at Prairie Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.6%
School
State
40.7%
ELA Proficiency 49.4%
School
State
45.0%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
49.3%
ELA
49.3%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Prairie Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in CA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

20981 Dersch Rd., Anderson, CA 96007

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadow Lane Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Alta Mesa Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Redding), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Junction Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Palo Cedro), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Anderson, see our Anderson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Meadow Lane Elementary Anderson 1.8 mi 8.1
Northern Summit Academy Shasta Anderson 2.3 mi 6.8
Anderson New Technology High Anderson 2.3 mi 5.5
INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Anderson 2.7 mi 5.2
Anderson Middle Anderson 2.8 mi 7.6
North State Aspire Academy Anderson 3.1 mi
Anderson High Anderson 2.9 mi 5.6
Anderson Heights Elementary Anderson 3.2 mi 4.6
Oakview High (Alternative) Anderson 3.1 mi 3.9
North Valley High Anderson 3.2 mi 5.0
Anderson Community Day Anderson 3.2 mi
Tree of Life International Charter Anderson 3.2 mi 6.3
Pacheco Elementary Redding 3.5 mi 7.3
California Heritage Youthbuild Academy II Redding 4.2 mi 4.4
Junction Elementary Palo Cedro 5.4 mi 7.3
Chrysalis Charter Palo Cedro 5.9 mi 6.2
REDDING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Palo Cedro 5.9 mi 4.6
MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Redding 5.6 mi 5.4
Mount Calvary Christian Academy Redding 5.7 mi
Alta Mesa Elementary Redding 5.9 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96007 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,000

Median Home Value

$284,800

Median Rent

$1,037/mo

Population

25,009

College Educated

16.3%

Homeownership

70.2%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $65,000. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $284,800, with a median rent of $1,037/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Carmel, CA 8.2
Alta Loma Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.2
Andres and Maria Cardenas Elementary Van Nuys, CA 8.2
Arbolita Elementary La Habra, CA 8.2
Aspen Elementary Thousand Oaks, CA 8.2
BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Elementary

What grades does Prairie Elementary serve?

Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Prairie Elementary?

Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 335 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary is 20.9:1. 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 #1069 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 45.6% math proficiency and 49.4% 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?

50.1% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,211/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Anderson). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Shasta County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pacheco Union Elementary
District Enrollment
720
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,175
District Rank
#1 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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