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
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
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
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Prairie Elementary — Students at Prairie Elementary score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Prairie Elementary Compares
See how Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.25% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.25% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (530) 365-1801
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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